George Washington University was named one of the top 25 doctoral-granting institutions with the most students studying abroad in 2010-11, according to a report released Monday by the Institute of International Education.
The 2012 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, reported that George Washington had 1,802 students take advantage of international opportunities for credit during the 2010-11 academic year. George Washington was one of only two universities in the D.C. metro area on the list.
“Students come to GW with an expectation to study abroad. They realize that it is an invaluable way to learn languages as well as cross-cultural skills that are vital to a career in any field,” said Office for Study Abroad Director Robert Hallworth. “The fact that just fewer than 50 percent of our students study abroad—compared with less than 4 percent nationwide—is testament to the priority that students place on this experience as part of their undergraduate education.”
George Washington students studied in more than 70 countries during the 2010-11 academic year, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, China, Italy, Israel, Australia and Turkey.
Associate Provost for International Programs Donna Scarboro said George Washington students are drawn to study abroad because they want to tackle the major challenges facing populations around the world.
“Our students and faculty together are addressing public health challenges, economic issues, scientific questions, and questions concerning culture, history, politics, ethics and more,” she said. “These topics are both local and global; they are best understood and addressed with the skills, experience and knowledge to work across national and cultural boundaries. For these reasons, students see higher education as an international undertaking by its nature, and more are seeking to study outside of their home countries as part of their college or graduate education.”