Study Abroad Shows Record Number for Spring 2008

A record number of Illinois State University students will be studying abroad in the coming spring semester.  One hundred thirty five students are enrolled in overseas programs for Spring 2008, a nearly 30 percent increase from Spring 2007.

The most popular destinations chosen by Illinois State students are Spain, England, Italy, Sweden, and South Korea. The Office of International Studies and Programs (OISP) has recently expanded its programs in continental Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia.

"Illinois State students are taking a proactive stance in globalizing their education by taking courses abroad that satisfy academic requirements for their major, minor, or general education,” said OISP Study Abroad Coordinator Jimmy Brazelton. “With the encouragement of forward thinking faculty, students are also going abroad to set themselves apart for future employment searches. Some are even participating in international internships.”

Brazelton noted that students are taking advantage of study abroad programs with overall costs that are less than that of attending Illinois State for a semester. In addition to the low cost programs, students receiving financial aid are also able to apply that aid to overseas study programs. Those advantages, coupled with growth in the number of study abroad programs available, are expected to attract even more students to overseas study opportunities in the coming semesters.

For more information on OISP Study Abroad programs call (309) 438-5276.