U.S. study abroad numbers

One of the leading ways to attract students to various types of programs is word of mouth. Particularly related to U.S. students who might go abroad, there are both real and perceptual barriers that discourage increased numbers of students to pursue international opportunity. Financial means is the primary inhibitor of students studying abroad. With the decline of studying abroad that occurred during the COVID pandemic, there are fewer students presently on campus who can speak in favor of and serve as role models for study abroad.

The Fulbright Scholars program has contributed to international understanding through exchanges all across the world. With reduced funding and dismantling of support in the Education Department, Fulbright Scholars for 2025 have encountered uncertainty that will surely reduce the numbers in this long-standing program.

The University of Minnesota's Study Abroad Life Design program is an innovation that opens international study to transfer students and to important life decisions. Entering a university with a shorter time-frame to completion and lacking knowledge of campus resources, transfer students may find it difficult to study abroad. The University's approach requires a preparatory course on campus and then places students in 6-week intensive learning experiences.

With the U.S. heavy influenced by isolationist political views and skepticism about higher education, study abroad is one of the few, and potentially most influential, strategies to bring experience-based reason back to international understanding. The study abroad ambassadors who are available may have declined but they are precious and should be given ample opportunity to talk about their experience. Without their advocacy, study abroad could decline to a privileged few much as it was in the early 20th century.

My experience and observation is that international learning can start at a very modest place but usually results in enough increased curiosity that students will go back for more. International educators need to find ways to start small if they must, but start somewhere to get students on an internationally aware path.