CFAES reached a milestone at the end of this school year: doubling the number of students participating instudy abroad programs compared to last year.
During the 2012-2013 academic cycle, the number of students participating in CFAES-sponsored study abroad programs together with CFAES students participating in other international study opportunities reached 316, up from the 156 students who participated in such programs during the 2011-2012 year.
The college is committed to promoting the importance of international travel as part of a well-rounded educational experience in an increasingly globalized world, CFAES Study Abroad Specialist Kelly Newlon said.
In fact, the college is a leader at Ohio State in this arena -- 30 percent of its students take part in study abroad programs on average, compared to the university's overall rate of 20 percent.
"We offer programs on all continents, except for Antarctica. But there’s a plan to go there no later than 2017."—CFAES Study Abroad Specialist Kelly Newlon
This year's numbers, however, are likely to boost the college's percentage to close to 50 percent, according to Newlon.
"The change to semesters and the inclusion of very popular programs have contributed to this dramatic increase," she said. "Some 80 students enrolled in the May session, which we didn't have before, and 84 students traveled to Ireland in December."
Ohio State switched from quarters to a semester-based system starting with the 2012-2013 academic year. Under quarters, the school year ended in early June.
This year's May study abroad session, which went from May 6-31, featured five destinations: Beijing, southeast China, Ghana, Australia, and Great Britain. For the May 2014 session, Newlon said, there will be at least nine program offerings.
-- Martha Filipic, Communications and Technology