ASU ranks No. 9 in nation for students studying abroad

As it has for each of the past five years, Arizona State University this year increased its university study abroad ranking in the annual Institute of International Education Open Doors 2019 report. Last year ranked No. 10, ASU now ranks at No. 9 for sending 2,567 students on credit-bearing study abroad programs.

“This year’s No. 9 ranking follows a five-year trend for ASU in continuing to support increasing numbers of Sun Devils in participating in study abroad and global skill building opportunities,” said Jennifer Malerich, executive director of academic and global engagement and interim Study Abroad Office director. 

ASU ranked ahead of the University of Florida, Purdue, University of California, Los Angeles and Michigan State University.

“In partnership with our university community and academic partners, we are continuing to develop innovative study abroad programs with the goal of making study abroad more accessible and inclusive,” Malerich said. “We are thrilled with this next milestone and look forward to continuing to help Sun Devils from all walks of life and all academic disciplines thrive abroad.”  

ASU continues its commitment to facilitating flexible options for all campus-based and online students interested in studying overseas, including options such as Global Intensive Experiences running seven to 14 days during academic breaks and short-term program options during semester sessions A and B.

The Open Doors 2019 report noted 341,751 students studied abroad for academic credit in 2017–18 nationwide, an increase of 2.7% from the past year.

Junior biomedical engineering and Spanish linguistics double major Kameron Moore said, “Study abroad has shown me that through travel and communication with people from all over the world that the stresses, anxieties, worries, hopes, dreams, etc. we feel every day as students are not unique to ourselves.” After spending nearly four weeks of his summer in 2019 on the Culture and Text in Contemporary León and Barcelona, Spain program, it gave him a perspective to appreciate cultural differences.  

“Through the lens of another culture, you can self-reflect on your own life to better understand what is really meaningful. My goals with my majors are to work in an international health care setting developing health care solutions unique to different populations. I look forward to seeing more of the world in the future and hope to utilize the knowledge I have gained from my experiences with other people and places to make the world a better place for all,” Moore said.

The top 10 destinations for U.S. students studying abroad include the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, China, Australia, Costa Rica and Japan. The top five major fields of study include STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math), business, social sciences, foreign language and international studies and fine or applied arts.

The Study Abroad Office at ASU offers more than 250 program options in more than 65 countries, with program lengths ranging from one week to one year (and nearly anything in between). Financial aid and scholarships are available for students who participate in semester and yearlong programming.

Learn more at mystudyabroad.asu.edu.