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Appalachian’s emphasis on study abroad gains continued recognition

View larger image

In Poland, students in the Department of Communication have learned about international communication. (Photo by Nina-Jo Moore)

2013-14 stats
  • 25%
    Appalachian’s participation rate for study abroad, compared to national rate of 14 percent
  • 680 to 1,047
    growth in number of students participating in study abroad for academic credit, from 2008-09 to 2013-14
  • 13%
    Increase in number of students going abroad for a semester or longer, between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.
  • 1,047
    students studied abroad in 2013-14, including:
    • 754 students who went on short-term faculty-led programs
    • 293 students who studied abroad for summer, semester-long, or year-long programs
  • 170-180
    international students are on campus each year
  • 26
    international campus activities in 2013-14
  • 100+
    international courses on campus

Source: Office of International Education and Development

Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 4:10 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — The growing interest of students participating in study abroad at Appalachian State University has once again resulted in recognition from the International Institute of Education (IIE).

In its 2014 Open Doors report, Appalachian is ranked 4th among the top 40 master’s degree granting institutions for the total number of students studying abroad in 2012-13, the year the rankings are based.

Destinations included:

  • Europe
  • Central America/Caribbean
  • South America
  • Asia
  • Africa

The university also ranked second among the top 40 master’s degree granting institutions for the number of students participating in short-term programs for academic credit. Short term programs are those lasting one to six weeks.

A total of 942 students studied abroad in 2012-13, the year the rankings are based. This represented a 22 percent participation rate at Appalachian, a much higher rate than the national rate of 13.8 percent. These numbers and percentages rose even more during the 2013-14 year (noted at right).

View larger image

Why Appalachian values study abroad

Appalachian values study abroad, also called education abroad, because it is part of the larger effort to graduate students who are globally competent. Study abroad gives students opportunities to increase their knowledge of global issues, regions and cultures; improve their intercultural skills; and foster global citizenship.

“I am very pleased with this distinction that Appalachian has received,” said Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, associate vice chancellor for international education and development. “This achievement has come as a result of hard work by both my staff, faculty and many others on campus.”

During the last five academic years, the number of Appalachian students selecting to study abroad for academic credit has grown steadily from 680 in 2008-09 to 942 in 2012-13. Appalachian saw its study abroad totals increase by 270 students from its 2011-12 totals.

View larger image

In Malawi, students in the Walker College of Business have focused on sustainability and non-profit management. Study abroad is a requirement in the business college. (Photo by Marie Freeman)

View larger image

Students in the Department of Technology and Environmental Design have visited cutting-edge design firms in London. (Photo by Troy Tuttle)

View larger image

Appalachian has had exchange relationships with China since 1981, and under the leadership of Jesse Lutabingwa, pictured right, has begun recruiting high school students from China to attend the university. (Photo courtesy of Karen Binger)

View larger image

The Honors College requires a study abroad, such as this one to Dublin, Ireland, by the 2012 freshman class of Chancellor’s Scholars. (Photo by Troy Tuttle)

Factors leading to Appalachian’s increased study abroad

“The growth in education abroad can be attributed to many factors,” Lutabingwa explained.

He said there has been an increased interest among the students wanting to go abroad and faculty wanting to led programs abroad, greater publicity of education abroad opportunities, and phenomenal growth in the number of pre-service teachers choosing to do a portion of their student teaching abroad. Some scholarship support is also offered to make the study abroad experience more affordable to students.

In some departments and programs at Appalachian, studying abroad has become an expectation and a graduation requirement. “Our office also has worked tirelessly to expand opportunities in many different countries and through different avenues, such as short-term faculty-led, research, clinical observations, service-learning, international Alternative Spring Break and internships. All of these efforts have contributed in the increases that we have observed,” Lutabingwa said.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

2013-14 stats
  • 25%
    Appalachian’s participation rate for study abroad, compared to national rate of 14 percent
  • 680 to 1,047
    growth in number of students participating in study abroad for academic credit, from 2008-09 to 2013-14
  • 13%
    Increase in number of students going abroad for a semester or longer, between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.
  • 1,047
    students studied abroad in 2013-14, including:
    • 754 students who went on short-term faculty-led programs
    • 293 students who studied abroad for summer, semester-long, or year-long programs
  • 170-180
    international students are on campus each year
  • 26
    international campus activities in 2013-14
  • 100+
    international courses on campus

Source: Office of International Education and Development

Office of International Education and Development
Office of International Education and Development

The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society.

Learn more
Malawi: A transforming experience inspires an ongoing relationship
Malawi: A transforming experience inspires an ongoing relationship
Sep. 6, 2013

Students learn and practice community solutions through a special relationship between Appalachian and Malawi.

Read the story
Study abroad fosters critical and creative thinking
Study abroad fosters critical and creative thinking
Dec. 17, 2012

Appalachian's undergraduate and graduate degree programs are preparing graduates to be critical, creative and global professionals.

Read the story
Global Learning at Appalachian
Global Learning at Appalachian

‘Multiple and varied’ experiences are central for students in new plan

Dec. 15, 2012

A five-year plan called “Global Learning: A World of Opportunities for Appalachian Students,” to be implemented beginning in the 2013-14 academic year, emphasizes strengthened activities which are offered both at home and abroad and earlier in a student’s college career.

Read the story
Appalachian students experience the world
Appalachian students experience the world
March 28, 2011

Appalachian's Office of International Education and Development (OIED) works with students to help them understand the many opportunities available and to help them make a plan that incorporates an international experience into their individual programs of study.

Read the story
India and South Africa become popular destinations for service-learning
India and South Africa become popular destinations for service-learning
July 22, 2010

A growing number of Appalachian State University students are gaining overseas experience through Appalachian's International Community Development Initiative (ICDI).

Read the story

About the Office of International Programs

Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive and integrated commitment to global engagement. The Office of International Programs assists App State in fulfilling its global engagement mission by working to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences — in both domestic and international contexts — in the university’s students, faculty and staff, as well as in the surrounding communities. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

2013-14 stats
  • 25%
    Appalachian’s participation rate for study abroad, compared to national rate of 14 percent
  • 680 to 1,047
    growth in number of students participating in study abroad for academic credit, from 2008-09 to 2013-14
  • 13%
    Increase in number of students going abroad for a semester or longer, between the 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.
  • 1,047
    students studied abroad in 2013-14, including:
    • 754 students who went on short-term faculty-led programs
    • 293 students who studied abroad for summer, semester-long, or year-long programs
  • 170-180
    international students are on campus each year
  • 26
    international campus activities in 2013-14
  • 100+
    international courses on campus

Source: Office of International Education and Development

Office of International Education and Development
Office of International Education and Development

The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society.

Learn more
Malawi: A transforming experience inspires an ongoing relationship
Malawi: A transforming experience inspires an ongoing relationship
Sep. 6, 2013

Students learn and practice community solutions through a special relationship between Appalachian and Malawi.

Read the story
Study abroad fosters critical and creative thinking
Study abroad fosters critical and creative thinking
Dec. 17, 2012

Appalachian's undergraduate and graduate degree programs are preparing graduates to be critical, creative and global professionals.

Read the story
Global Learning at Appalachian
Global Learning at Appalachian

‘Multiple and varied’ experiences are central for students in new plan

Dec. 15, 2012

A five-year plan called “Global Learning: A World of Opportunities for Appalachian Students,” to be implemented beginning in the 2013-14 academic year, emphasizes strengthened activities which are offered both at home and abroad and earlier in a student’s college career.

Read the story
Appalachian students experience the world
Appalachian students experience the world
March 28, 2011

Appalachian's Office of International Education and Development (OIED) works with students to help them understand the many opportunities available and to help them make a plan that incorporates an international experience into their individual programs of study.

Read the story
India and South Africa become popular destinations for service-learning
India and South Africa become popular destinations for service-learning
July 22, 2010

A growing number of Appalachian State University students are gaining overseas experience through Appalachian's International Community Development Initiative (ICDI).

Read the story

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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