Release

Study Abroad Program Ranked #1 in SUNY System

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 30, 2005) -- The University at Albany's study abroad program has been ranked first of all campuses in the State University of New York system.

According to figures recently released by SUNY, UAlbany placed nearly 500 students in study abroad programs during the 2004 school year, outpacing #2 Brockport (475) and #3 New Paltz (399). Binghamton (394), Buffalo (391), and Stony Brook (200) ranked lower.

Both Brockport (#1 in 2003) and Binghamton (#3 in 2003) experienced declining study abroad enrollments (-7 percent and -18 percent, respectively), while study abroad activity at UAlbany increased by almost 4 percent in the same period. Continuing this positive trend, UAlbany study abroad enrollment figures for the fall 2005 semester are up by nearly 20 percent.

"Our most important goal has been to develop students" expectations that all undergraduates can and should study abroad--and then be ready to make it possible for them to do so," said Jim Pasquill, director of Study Abroad and Exchanges. "During the freshman orientation, we tell students to come to college with a passport and plan to use it. We are pleased to see that our efforts are paying off."

The growth in Albany enrollment is due in great part to efforts to better integrate study abroad into majors and to support faculty who want to design and lead short-term programs overseas. Currently 23 UAlbany students are studying in Japan, the largest number in any country including the popular destinations of the UK, Spain, and Australia.

"The newest statistics confirm the outstanding effort and commitment of the study abroad staff to expanding the learning opportunities for our undergraduates," said John Rohrbaugh, director of the Office of International Education. "Our objective is to have at least 15 percent of our students in at least one study abroad program as a way of fulfilling the academic requirements for their major. Every semester additional departments are working in partnership with us to improve the study abroad advisement and international program opportunities that we offer Albany students."