Opportunities Abroad

About 400 students went overseas during summer 2006 in study abroad programs to 20 countries. 
"We're on track" to meeting the University's goal of 30 percent of undergraduates participating in such programs, said Dr. Bill Mitchell, director of the Center of International Education at Baylor and Jo Murphy Chair in International Education. Of the graduates in 2005, 19 percent had some kind of international education experience during their time at Baylor. 
"We're in a global environment," Mitchell said, explaining the importance of an international experience in a college student's education. "Everything we do in any occupation is connected globally. Especially with the Internet, borders aren't as significant as they were in the past." 
Baylor has increased the number of international programs from 50 in fiscal year 2002 to 73 in the current fiscal year, and improved the quality of the programs offered to students. In summer 2006, 28 Baylor professors served as program directors and led study abroad group trips overseas. 
The level of participation in study abroad programs also has risen from 633 students to 855 while the number of international students on campus has remained steady, according to a report from Mitchell. 
Countries being visited by Baylor students over the summer included: Argentina, Austria, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominica, England, France, Germany, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Scotland and Spain. In the planning stages for 2007 are a program with St. Andrews, Scotland, a program in Rome and an internship program in London, Mitchell said. 
The goal of having 30 percent of undergraduates in study-abroad programs is part of Baylor 2012, the University's 10-year Vision.