A group of Notre Dame students and faculty recently posed with a large Notre Dame flag on the Galápagos Islands. Standing at a volcanic overlook, they enjoyed breathtaking views of emerald waters, islands, and volcanic peaks.
Students and faculty from Notre Dame’s College of Science and College of Engineering embarked on an overseas study trip to the Galápagos, where students conducted self-designed observational research projects and studied principles of evolutionary biology, ecology, and environmental earth sciences.
In the latest rankings released by the Institute of International Education (IIE), Notre Dame received national recognition again for its commitment to internationalization and global education. According to the most recent data from the Open Doors report, during the 2022-23 academic year, the university’s undergraduate study abroad participation rate increased by more than 10 percentage points from the previous year, rising from 77% to 87.5%.
This growth is attributed to several factors, including greater flexibility provided by Notre Dame’s global study abroad team during the application process. For the past three years, the team has reopened application periods in early spring each year, allowing more students to apply or reapply.
Additionally, the university’s colleges and schools have collaborated closely with the global study abroad team to find new ways to integrate study abroad opportunities into their curricula, which has helped boost overall student participation.
Notre Dame’s undergraduate study abroad participation rate has reached an all-time high. Among U.S. universities that grant doctoral degrees, Notre Dame ranks third based on the number of students enrolled in its programs.
“We are very excited about this year’s ranking,” said Zhu Hong, Senior Director of Global Education at Notre Dame. “More importantly, the participation rate reflects how important study abroad is to our students. They recognize that global education is an integral part of their Notre Dame experience and make space for it in their academic journeys.”
A group works together building a compost pile, layering green plant material around a central pole covered with dry brown plant debris. Some participants wear Notre Dame apparel. One student chops plants with a playful smile.
Third-year Notre Dame student Avery Gawronski and classmates took part in a summer study abroad program in Uganda at the Bethany Land Institute, where they studied holistic ecology. They had the opportunity to make compost using farm-collected plant waste, animal manure, and water.
Professor Zhu added that the ranking is just the tip of the iceberg. “While we are very proud, we remain committed to helping students prepare even better so they can maximize their overseas learning experience. This is thanks to the entire study abroad team working to create these opportunities and support students throughout, as well as to advising deans and faculty who provide strong encouragement.”
Notre Dame’s global programs offer approximately 58 semester- and year-long overseas study opportunities and 34 summer programs across 35 countries and regions worldwide. During study abroad, students are encouraged to participate in internships, engage with local communities, and collaborate with leading scholars on research. These experiences help students develop global competencies, cultural understanding, and contribute to impactful global research.
“Our university’s global strategy requires us to enhance the focus of our study abroad programs, developing rich intellectual experiences that immerse students in host cultures through rigorous coursework, internships, independent research, and service — and this remains a key area of focus for us,” said Michael Pippenger, Vice President for Internationalization and Associate Provost.
The Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education, tracks the number of degree-seeking students earning study abroad credits in a given year. Since its founding in 1919, Open Doors has conducted an annual survey of international students in the U.S. and, since 1972, has partnered with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Notre Dame has reported to Open Doors since 1949 and was recently honored with the Open Doors 75th Anniversary Excellence Seal.
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