Growth in Study Abroad Capacity at the University of Georgia

NASULGCChicago, Illinois - November 2008Updated November 2009

Dr. Judith Shaw, Associate Provost for International EducationDr. Kasee Laster, Director of Study Abroad

America’s first state-chartered university (1785) Georgia’s flagship institution Three-part mission: “to teach, to serve and to

inquire into the nature of things" Carnegie Classification: Research Universities

(very high research activity)  16 schools & colleges

UGA – the institution:

UGA – the students:

Enrollment:

Fall 08: 34,180 Graduate: 8,713 Undergraduate:

25,467 In-state: 79%;

international 6.3%; out-of-state 14.7%

2,000+ UGA students participate for credit each year. 100 faculty-led programs (75-80% of participants). Three international residential centers (UK, Italy, Costa Rica). 47 exchange partners (4% of participants). Ranked 9th in Open Doors for number of participants. 30% of students study abroad by graduation. Location statistics match national trends: approximately half

to Western Europe, 15% to Latin America; Asia is fastest-growing region.

Three-quarters study abroad in the summer, rest a semester or full year.

UGA – study abroad numbers, 2007-08:

UGA – history of expansion:The number of students studying abroad has tripled over a dozen

years.

Participation Over Time

629734

9021081

1244 13081441

16411741

19312069 2092

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500

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2500

1996-1997

1997-1998

1998-1999

1999-2000

2000-2001

2001-2002

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2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

UGA – history of expansion, cont.Much growth has come in summer and short programs.

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

1998-99

1999-2000

2000-01

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

Academic & Calendar Year

< 8 weeks during academic year, 1 quarter, very short summer, misc

One Semester (or 2 quarters)

Summer (2-10 weeks)

UGA – role of leadership:Three institutional strategic goals:Building the new learning environmentInvesting in researchCompeting in a global economy

“I am convinced that no single experience has a greater impact on a student than long-term residential study abroad.” – President Michael F. Adams, May 20th, 2008

Dr. Adams’ initiative led to the establishment of three residential centers abroad, which now host one-quarter of participants in UGA programs.

Faculty: Initiate new program proposals. Make all logistical arrangements, hire, and pay faculty. Recruit & select students. Create a budget; programs must break even financially. File enrollment lists & itineraries with OIE.

Office of International Education: Strategic Planning Committee assesses 6-15 new proposals each year for

a). strategic fit with existing offerings, b). risk management, c). budgetary viability, and d). academic rigor.

Provides risk management & budgetary training; reviews budgets. Provides opportunities for recruitment. Conducts student advising and outreach. Coordinates several scholarships, serves as central information

clearinghouse for others.

UGA – administrative model:

UGA – entrepreneurial financial model:

Two Types of Revenue: Tuition return – students pay tuition to the Bursar’s Office, which is

returned to the programs. Tuition return must cover instructional expenses –summer salaries; foreign

speakers; faculty airfare, room, and board; facilities & equipment costs abroad; course-related entrance fees.

Program fee – charged directly to students by the program and covers everything else: student travel and room and board; insurance; sometimes visas, student air travel, and/or ground transportation; cultural and recreational entrance fees.

Until recent budget difficulties in Georgia, OIE had a $100,000 fund to seed new programs.

UGA - financial model, cont.Role of HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally):

Lottery-funded scholarship for in-state students with a B average or better.

Almost every in-state freshman at UGA is on HOPE; most keep it until graduation.

HOPE covers all tuition at public universities and a portion at in-state private institutions.

Covers the tuition portion for UGA study abroad programs; students going on external programs receive an amount based on credit hours.

Due to HOPE, many families do not pay tuition for any part of college; thus additional resources are freed up for study abroad.

Out-of-state students do not receive HOPE, but pay in-state tuition rates for study abroad.

UGA – types of study abroad programs:

Faculty-led (short-term, Maymester, summer, and semester)

Non-traditional (individual internships & research placements)

Exchange External

Cambodia – gerontology and intergenerational studies summer Vietnam – public health Maymester Antarctica – natural resources, winter break Athletic Training - Taiwan IT/MIS – Dalian, China Conflict Resolution – Ireland (Social Work) and Ecuador (Public and

International Affairs) Reacting Abroad (historical re-enactment pedagogy) – Classics, Greece Genetics of Invasive Species (NSF grant) – Nanjing, China Viticulture – Italy, College of Agriculture Avian Biology – Costa Rica, College of Agriculture

UGA – recent program models contributing to expansion:

UGA – advantages of the entrepreneurial, faculty-driven model: Strong faculty buy-in. Allows for expansion even in tough budget times. Critical mass of students studying abroad fuels

growth via word of mouth. Expanded marketing base (over 200 faculty and staff

on campus work with study abroad in some aspect) Faculty reach students directly. Diversity of programs & disciplines. Quick response to disciplinary needs & trends,

underserved student populations and disciplines.

UGA – future directions:

Task Force for International Education (2006-07) goal: 40% participation in study abroad by graduation.

Residential centers in Africa, Asia, a German-speaking location, and a French-speaking location.

More students studying abroad for a semester or longer.

Increased diversity in locations, student demographics, and disciplines.