KU News Release

KU ranks seventh nationally in study abroad; lauded for innovative programs

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas is seventh in the nation in the percentage of students who participate in study abroad programs before graduation and employs innovative ways to help students take their academic careers beyond U.S. borders, according to a pair of recent reports.

The Institute of International Education recently issued its annual “Open Doors” report, which showed KU has posted regular increases in the number of students who study abroad. In 2005-06 academic year data, about 29 percent of KU undergraduate students were completing study abroad programs before leaving KU. The number puts KU in a tie for seventh place with Michigan State University among public research universities.

Overall, 1,346 KU students studied outside the United States that year. The total has risen every year since 2001-02. The number has nearly doubled in less than a decade — 763 students studied abroad in 1998-99.

KU has put an increased emphasis on the value of studying abroad. Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Richard Lariviere last year announced a five- to 10-year initiative to increase the percentage of students who take part in study abroad.

Nationwide, students have shown reluctance to pursue international study lasting a semester or longer. KU has responded with an increase in shorter programs, many that can be taken during winter or summer breaks. The innovative approach has drawn national acclaim.

A recent report in the Chronicle of Higher Education touted KU as an institution that has not only increased the number of shorter programs but also used other successful methods to boost study abroad numbers. The report cited KU’s 60 short-term programs this year that were designed by faculty. That number is an increase from 42 the year before. The trend is part of an effort to ensure students and faculty do not view studying abroad as time away from their academic careers.

Susan Gronbeck-Tedesco, director of the Office of Study Abroad, told the Chronicle that about 64 percent of KU’s study abroad students take part in the shorter programs each year.

“I think this is the first step into longer-term study abroad,” she said. “The wave of the future includes many departments developing options for a major where students can spend a semester studying at a foreign institution.”

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.