'Round the girdled earth they study

Dartmouth ranks 1st among Ivies sending students abroad

Published December 1, 2003; Category: STUDENTS

Dartmouth ranked first among its peers and first among Ivy League institutions in student study-abroad participation, in a report released Nov. 17 by the Institute for International Education (IIE). The report calculated that 61.5 percent of Dartmouth undergraduates study abroad at some time during their academic careers.

A second report issued the next day by NAFSA: Association of International Educators called on the federal government to free up $4.5 billion to support greater study-abroad education at U.S. colleges and universities, and called on all higher education institutions to break down barriers to study abroad participation.

The appearance of these reports coincided with the fourth annual International Education Week, Nov. 17-23, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. Dartmouth participated for the first time this year in the week-long celebration, which organizers say "promote[s] programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States."

IIE report

In its annual "Open Doors" report the IIE reported that student participation in foreign study programs nationwide increased 4.4 percent from the previous year, bringing to a record 160,920 the number of students participating. Though this still makes up barely 2 percent of current undergraduates in the United States, the IIE calculates that study-abroad participation has more than doubled in the last 10 years.

Even with the traditionally high participation rates at Dartmouth, interest in off-campus programs continues to grow, said John Tansey, Executive Director of Off-Campus Programs.

During the five-year period ending June 2003, the number of applications completed by students interested in participating in off-campus or exchange programs increased by 17 percent, Tansey said. The number of acceptances and actual participants in these programs grew by approximately 6 percent during this same period of time.

Dartmouth students travel to 32 locations around the world and study everything from foreign languages to economics to environmental studies. From learning about the language, history and customs of the Maori in Auckland, New Zealand, to seeking greater understanding of Arabic culture as part of the Fez, Morocco, foreign study trip, to studying biology amid the tropical environs of Central America and the Caribbean, experiences place students within cultures and environments that provide maximum contrast to their on-campus learning, Tansey said.

NAFSA report

The separate NAFSA report, co-chaired by former senator Paul Simon and former Secretary of Education Richard Riley, calls on colleges and universities to implement strategies to encourage study abroad on a school-wide basis.

"They must involve the faculty, ease curricular rigidities, counter financial disincentives, and create new study abroad models and diverse study abroad options ... and make study abroad accessible to the broadest possible spectrum of students," the report said.

Dartmouth, through its existing international programs, is already meeting many of these goals. Recently revised curricular requirements include three courses in world culture, which must include subjects in western culture, nonwestern culture and cultural identity. In addition, the International Student Association and 20 campus student groups and organizations devoted to ethnicity and culture further extend the range of opportunities for international education at Dartmouth.

The John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth stands as a nexus of international study and activity for both students and faculty members. Undergraduates are encouraged to design international leave-term projects, receiving awards to live and work internationally. Minors and fellowship programs in war and peace and northern/polar studies, grants for international research and post-graduate fellowship opportunities complement five international student organizations on campus sponsored by Dickey.

On the faculty front, the center provides funding for international research and travel to academic conferences abroad. Faculty members are encouraged to share their scholarship with colleagues around the world by organizing conferences and working groups at Dartmouth. The Center also offers support for curriculum development to ensure a broad slate of internationally focused classes for Dartmouth undergraduates, and works with faculty members in the arts and sciences and the graduate schools to develop multidisciplinary collaborative programs on issues of international import.

International Education Week

This year marks the first time that Dartmouth has participated in International Education Week. Events included an international fair organized by Dartmouth students featuring cuisine, performances and opportunities to learn about a variety of cultures. Over the course of the week students presented panel discussions, meals, an international dress day, open houses and a bazaar.

International Education Week was organized and coordinated primarily by Flora Powell, International Office Administrative Assistant, with assistance from several office student interns including Aida Gil '07.

"It was most rewarding for me to witness the spirit, energy and talent of Dartmouth students and members of other Upper Valley communities performing during 'Around the World in 120 Minutes,' the major programming event of the week," said Steve Silver, Director of Dartmouth's International Office.

Dartmouth's International office assists more than 1,000 international students, faculty members, and scholars who study and work at the College. International students, scholars and staff members are an integral part of the Dartmouth community contributing knowledge, expertise, cultures and viewpoints from around the world, Silver said.

The International Office promotes international education through programs, events, lectures and seminars with global themes, and cultural activities. The office provides support for international students, faculty members and researchers regarding U.S. government regulations and provides academic, personal and cultural counseling to all international students and scholars. The office also runs an International Friendship Program, which pairs international students with local families for the sharing of U.S. and global cultures and traditions. They also work with the Office of Residential Life to manage Brewster International House, a residence for 27 undergraduates from around the world and the United States, which promotes international cultural, social, and political activities and events for its members and for the greater campus.

BY JAMES DONNELLY