The study abroad program has received a record number of applicants, is part of a national trend to go abroad
By Lacey Bitter
A record number of students have applied for the various study abroad programs this year, even though some programs are not yet full.
The openings in some programs is nothing unusual and carries no major consequences, as interest often changes through the years and will likely return in time.
The Rev. Art Wheeler, C.S.C., said that the popularity of the various programs varies year to year, so there are no major implications of a relative lack of interest in a certain program this year.
"We're sometimes surprised at the shifting interest," Wheeler said, assuring that the unpopularity of a given program one year does not necessarily mean that it won't be offered in future years.
The studies abroad program in general is growing, with 34 percent of last year's graduating class having studied abroad.
A rise in the popularity of studying abroad is part of a national trend, making international experience more important to employers and when applying for higher education.
"Studying abroad used to be a luxury," Wheeler said. "Now the graduate schools and employers expect them to have overseas experience. They want students to break out of the limitations of their upbringing."
Studying in other parts of the world allows students to observe areas very different from what they are used to and develop their world view through this experience.
"I care a lot more about the world as a whole now," senior Arielle LeVeaux said. "You're in a different place outside of the U.S. and it helps you grow up."
LeVeaux participated in the summer Morelia, Mexico, session as well as the summer program in Santiago, Chile, offered through the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES).
This year the first summer session in Salzburg is one of the most popular programs offered, and it is now closed to applicants because of the popularity. Wheeler said that this is deceiving, though, because they have only received applicants for half of the available spaces for the second session.
Many students apply for multiple programs to keep their options open, or during the interview process, the director discovers that they do not have the necessary prerequisites necessary for the program, opening up places for other students.
Nearly all of the programs are still open for applicants since one third of the applicants usually come after the deadline.
"We're glad to have those if we have spaces," Wheeler said.
Wheeler estimates that between 280 and 300 students will study abroad next year, while as few as 13 years ago, only 65 students went abroad per year.
"The University has invested a lot of resources in international studies," Wheeler said. "We're all working together to make more opportunities for students."
Wheeler attributes the increase in popularity largely to the increase in the student body size and also that studying abroad is becoming more valuable for students.
"It fits very well with the Catholic outlook," Wheeler said. "The word 'catholic' means universal. We want people to be aware of what's going on in the world."
The University is also expanding the options available to students and trying to offer more opportunities for students of all majors. Traditionally, few nursing and engineering students have had the opportunity to study abroad due to their strict course schedules. Now 30 percent of nursing students and 10 percent of engineering students study abroad during their years at UP.
The programs have expanded to include more options for these students, including the Australia program for nursing majors and the summer Salzburg program for engineering majors.
IES also offers students the opportunity to study in 17 different countries from Ecuador to South Africa.
"There's always a good experience in it no matter what," senior Corin Bauman, who participated in the semester-long Australia program, said. "You'll learn about yourself and another culture."
With the fluctuating economy affecting students' incomes as well as the value of the U.S. dollar, the future of studying abroad is unclear. The dollar is more valuable now than it was one year ago, making the experience cheaper for students as a whole. However, the status of the economy is still unpredictable.
"It's very difficult to determine at this moment how the financial downturn will affect our students," Wheeler said, commenting that he has already seen some impact.
He still hopes that the University can increase the ratio of students who study abroad to the point that 50 percent of graduates have spent time abroad.
"This isn't something that's a luxury for the University of Portland," Wheeler said. "This is something that we have to do to grow. The more the University grows, the more prestigious the degree becomes. It increases the overall reputation of the school and value of the degree."
