Newswise — The University of North Florida ranked No. 9 nationally on the list of “Leading Institutions by Duration and Institutional Type” for short-term study abroad programs and No. 17 nationwide on the list of “Leading Institutions by Institutional Type” (Carnegie classification of Master’s Institutions), according to the Institute of International Education’s 2016 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange.
Over 1,300 institutions across the country participated in this year’s Open Door report. UNF was the only Florida state university in the Master’s Carnegie classification that was listed in the report. UNF, which has students studying abroad at more than twice the national average, awarded credit to 578 students who studied abroad in the 2014-15 academic year.
“I am pleased that UNF continues to be nationally ranked in the Open Doors report,” said Ruth Lopez, UNF International Center director. “It shows that students want to be internationally engaged and faculty use the real world as their classroom.”
The Student Affairs International Learning Scholarship is also a direct positive impact in helping Ospreys go abroad. Antoinette Vitale, a junior majoring in public relations spent the entire summer at the University’s exchange partner, Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. “My favorite part about the Asian studies program was that I would learn about Japan and then walk outside of the classroom and my lectures would come to life,” he said.
Students participating in the Coggin College of Business’s International Business (IB) Flagship Program regularly account for 30 to 40 percent of the University’s study abroad numbers. In addition to short-term programs, IB offers semester exchanges and international dual degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Giovanni Kague, a Coggin student spending his junior and senior years at KEDGE Business School in Marseille, France, says this about his dual degree program: “Having the privilege of being a UNF-KEDGE dual degree scholar has allowed me to appreciate the cultural similarities and differences between the U.S. and France. During my two years of business and language study in each country, I’ve grown both personally and professionally in pursuit of liberty, independence and success!”
Dr. Andrés Gallo, professor of economics and director of the IB Flagship Program, attributes this recognition to UNF’s overall commitment to internationalization. “The UNF community at every level and across all colleges should be recognized for this top 10 accomplishment. The administration’s financial support, faculty expertise and staff facilitation create an environment where students can feel safe exploring beyond their comfort zones. Intentional international experiences are essential in preparing our graduates for today’s competitive global economy – in Northeast Florida and beyond.”
The annual report on international student mobility indicates that the total number of U.S. students receiving credit for study abroad increased by 3 percent to 313,415 students in 2014-15. Short-term study abroad programs are defined as for either the summer or eight weeks or less. The Open Doors report is published by IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Data provided by the Institute of International Education’s 2015 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange can be found at http://www.iie.org/en/Research-and-Publications/Open-Doors.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
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