Elon University has been recognised for the 18th year as the leading university for the highest percentage of students studying abroad among doctoral universities, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report.
This year, Elon also had the highest percentage of students studying abroad in the university’s history at 87.8%.
Doctoral universities are a Carnegie Classification grouping of higher education institutions.
In addition, Elon ranked 12th in the nation among doctoral universities in the total number of students who completed mid-length study abroad programs – a program that lasts more than eight weeks and can last up to a full semester – and 26th among doctoral universities in the total number of students who studied abroad.
The top doctoral universities for the highest percentage of students studying abroad are Elon University, The University of Notre Dame, Wake Forest University, Yeshiva University, Pepperdine University, Yale University, The College of William and Mary, and Harding University.
Elon offers study abroad programmes in the autumn, winter and spring semesters.
Sophomore Anna Okum said her winter study abroad trip to Prague, Krakow and Warsaw with Elon was a deciding factor in her decision to study abroad during the spring semester.
“The January Term abroad trips were a huge draw for me to come to Elon, and as a Jewish Studies minor, the Holocaust Journey trip was absolutely perfect for me,” Okum said. “I used my J-term abroad to test the waters to see if I really wanted to spend four months in another country, and after loving every minute of my J-term trip, I knew I wanted to go somewhere for a semester.”
Elon helps students access study abroad programs through scholarships, events and one-on-one appointments through the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center.
Nick Gozick, dean of global education, did not respond to Elon News Network’s immediate request for comment.
Elon offers short-term programmes, partner and exchange programmes, dual-degree programmes and other global experiential opportunities.
One such opportunity is a partnership with the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, for students studying in the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education.
Senior Sam Martin studied at the University of Otago during the spring semester of his junior year, where he says he fully embraced the Kiwi culture and gained hands-on experience in the classroom.
“Being given the opportunity to immerse myself and learn about a new culture was a powerful experience,” said Martin. “From speaking with locals during our travels to participating in Māori cultural experiences, our study abroad opportunity allowed us to immerse ourselves in the culture of New Zealand.”
Okum said she believes Elon is an advocate for study abroad programmes, helping students to find programmes that are right for them.
“Not everyone wants to or can spend an entire semester abroad,” Okum said. “So J-Term trips are a really great way to have that balance, to allow students to experience other cultures for a shorter period of time with more structure.”
