Nov. 19, 2008
UW-Stevens Point ranks first for study abroad
in Wisconsin
According to the Institute for International Education’s “Open Doors 2008
Study” released on Monday, UWSP was number 18 on the list of top 40 master’s
institutions in the country for study abroad. The data (2006-07) list UWSP
with 469 students studying abroad. UWSP climbed ten positions from the
previous year, according to Eric Yonke, director of International
Programs.
“UWSP has been a leader in study abroad opportunities for its students since
the early 1970s,” said Yonke. “From former Chancellor and Governor Lee S.
Dreyfus to Chancellor Linda Bunnell, our campus culture has nurtured study
abroad as a key learning component for our students.”
In the 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement, 23 percent of UWSP seniors
reported having studied abroad compared to 17 percent for other UW master’s
institutions, and 11 percent for national public master’s institutions,
according to Shari Ellertson, policy and planning analyst. In addition,
from 2005-07 UWSP ranked number one among all UW System campuses, including
Madison, in the percentage of bachelor’s degree recipients who studied
abroad.
UWSP offers more than ten semester-long programs and more than twenty short-term
study tours over the Winterim (December break) and both the spring and the
summer break. Unless specifically stated, all programs are open to any and
all students eligible for admittance into UWSP, according to Yonke.
Semester-long programs include Great Britain, Ireland, Poland, Australia,
France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, New Zealand and the South Pacific. During
Winterim, students can study abroad in Thailand, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Mexico
and Belize.
“We want to build on UWSP’s strong tradition by seeking out ways to make
study abroad accessible for students in all majors,” said Yonke. “We have
seen the most dramatic growth in our London internship program and our
short-term programs. These programs give students international experience
and a chance to fulfill specific requirements for their degree.”
In addition, the College of Natural Resources (CNR) offers a seven-week
environmental seminar to Germany and Poland. This program is run jointly
by the CNR and International Programs. In general only UWSP students are
eligible to participate.
For more information on this top-ranked study abroad program and its many
opportunities visit their Web site at
www.uwsp.edu/studyabroad.
