December 31, 2003

Dear Colleague:

Enclosed please find a copy of the MU International Center's Annual Report on U.S. student participation in study abroad. The International Center is pleased to report a 20% increase in study abroad participation during the 2002-2003 academic year. A record 629 MU students studied abroad, representing 3.2% of the undergraduate population. The fact that increasing numbers of MU students have chosen to study overseas in spite of continued threats of terrorist activity against U.S. interests at home and abroad, the U.S. War with Iraq, growing anti-American sentiment, and the advent of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) clearly demonstrates that MU students and their families place great value on learning about the world outside the United States.

The introduction of short-term overseas studies programs during the fall and winter semesters accounted for much of the overall growth in study abroad participation. In addition, increasing numbers of MU students took advantage of summer overseas studies opportunities. During 2002-2003, a number of MU departments developed new summer study abroad programs that enable students to fulfill major requirements abroad. The number of MU students who chose to participate in semester and academic-year programs also increased.

Growth in the number of short-term study abroad programs (interim and summer) has resulted in slight shifts in the demographics of MU study abroad participants. Most notably, more freshmen and male students chose to take part in overseas studies than ever before. Historically, both at MU and nationally, the majority of students who have participated in study abroad have been female, third-year college students (e.g. junior year abroad). These demographics may continue to change as the number of MU departments offering short-term study abroad programs continues to increase.

In conclusion, we hope that you will find this report useful in determining goals for future study abroad participation. Please do not hesitate to share this information with colleagues who may find it of interest. In addition, I would be happy to send additional copies via e-mail.

Thank you for your continued support of study abroad programming at MU!

Sincerely,

Barbara Lindeman
Director of Study Abroad
Assistant Director of the International Center