Stonehill Ranked Among Top Study Abroad Institutions

November 25, 2008

As more Stonehill students take advantage of study abroad options, the College is increasingly regarded as one of the top schools for semester abroad programs.

The Institute of International Education recently released its annual Open Doors Survey and Stonehill has moved up to 13th on its list of baccalaureate institutions for semester study abroad programs.

The survey, which covered the 2006-07 academic year, showed that Stonehill had the highest number of students (230) in Massachusetts spending a semester abroad. Last year, the College ranked 19th among baccalaureate institutions in its report of the 2005-06 academic year.

Currently, there are 147 juniors in 19 different countries this semester alone while 40 percent of the junior class studies abroad annually. In the spring of 2008, 120 students went abroad while 113 did in the fall of 2007.

"The entire campus from the President down believes that what an international experience can provide transforms a student and sends them on a trajectory to be life-long learners," says Director of International Programs Susan Atkins. "I believe that these are core values for Stonehill College and will continue to drive our goals with continuing to send greater numbers of students on study abroad and internship programs."

Through the Office of International Programs, students can partake in both study abroad and international internship programs in one of over 120 programs available in 35 counties worldwide. The Office offers guidance to students wanting to study abroad from the planning and pre-departure stages, to their reentry on campus and reflections of their experiences.

The Office plans to introduce a four year advising model that will assist all students, beginning in their first-year, to better plan when and how they will study abroad during their four years and how to intentionally build upon each year so that they are better prepared to get the most of the experience before, during, and after they are abroad and to integrate these experiences back into their lives at Stonehill.

Atkins says many of the academic departments on campus have assisted students with deciding when studying abroad is feasible for their particular major. For example, the chemistry department has carved out the fall of senior year in order to make it possible for its majors to have a semester abroad.

"This partnership with faculty is what makes the academic planning process possible for students," said Atkins.

The Institute of International Education is an independent nonprofit organization, which promotes closer educational relations between the people of the United States and those of other countries. It is among the world's largest and most experienced international education and training organizations.

Contact:
For more information on study abroad and international internship programs, contact the Office of International Programs at 508-565-1645.