CHICO, California – Chico State students are getting an education not only on campus, but in countries around the world.
The Chico State Study Abroad and Exchange Program was recently recognized by Open Doors, which ranked it ninth in the nation among master’s degree-granting colleges and universities.
They say the programme fosters unique academic and personal growth in students. The programme has taken students to more than 30 countries, including Ireland, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Italy and more.
The study abroad programme served 102 Chico State students during the 2021-2022 school year.
The recognition was a collaborative effort, she said, and this is the 17th time in the last 18 years the program has been in the top 10.
“A lot of what you see, this effort, yes, is our team, but part of our team is our students who have studied abroad and come back and paid it forward,” said Study Abroad and Exchange Coordinator Ximena Ospina.
She says the programme is life-changing for students, giving them an opportunity they never imagined they would have.
The university guides students through every step of the process and provides a place on campus where students can get or renew a passport. They ensure that the students receive an excellent education that will count towards their degree programmes.
She says she hopes that with this recognition they can continue to offer students the opportunity to learn in a new environment and introduce them to new cultures.
“We really hope that we can continue to grow the programmes, continue to take students through this process and watch them do amazing things all over the world,” Ospina concludes.
