The College of Charleston has moved up two spots and is now ranked number 10 in overall study abroad participation, according to a new Open Doors report released by The Institute of International Education. The College is also ranked number 10 in semester-long participation and number 16 in summer participation. The report shows schools with 31% study-abroad participation or higher. Watch videos of College of Charleston study abroad experiences.

“The rankings validate the collective efforts of our faculty and staff and underscores the College of Charleston’s aspiration to become a premier liberal arts and science university,” says Andrew Sobiesuo, associate provost for international education. “Running a successful program demands several hours and patience over a period of time.  We hope to continue this momentum.”

Over the past three years, the College has had record participation in a study abroad experience. A total of 718 degree-seeking students studied abroad in dozens of countries during 2011-12. That is up from 664 in 2010-11 and 619 in 2009-10. The expansion of the semester-long programs meets the needs of majors who are required to study abroad to complete their degree, and it also provides a cultural and linguistic immersion for students in a variety of academic disciplines.

“A study abroad experience is an indispensable component of a liberal arts education.  And the fact that we have these opportunities and that our students actually take advantage of them is very significant,” Sobiesuo says.

The rankings in the Open Doors report were based on participation in 2010-11. Rankings for 2011-12 will be released in fall 2013.

The College’s Center for International Education was established in 1996 and develops and implements quality programming around diverse academic and cultural offerings.

For more information on the study abroad programs click here. Or contact Andrew Sobiesuo at 843.953.5537 or sobiesuoa@cofc.edu.