International Learning Activities
College-Bound Students' Interests in Study Abroad and Other International Learning Activities
College-bound students demonstrate high levels of global awareness, and significant proportions anticipate international learning experiences in college. Some key findings from the research demonstrate the magnitude and scope of current student interest in international learning:
- Fifty-five percent indicated that they are certain or fairly certain they will participate in study abroad, with another 26 percent indicating a strong desire to study abroad.
- Thirty-five percent plan an international internship. Likewise, 37 percent responded that they were very interested in acquiring career-related work experience in another country.
- Among those planning to study abroad, more than 70 percent plan to either become proficient in a second language or at least learn enough of the language to be able to comfortably converse with people in that country.
The study findings, along with mounting evidence from many other sources, suggest that institutions that do not encourage and expand international learning experiences may find themselves increasingly at a disadvantage in enrolling the current generation of students and satisfying their strong desires for a truly global college education.
Read the full report: College-Bound Students' Interests in Study Abroad and Other International Learning Activities (.pdf/730K), A Special Edition of studentPOLL, January 2008. Requires Adobe Reader (latest version recommended).