Rising numbers of U.S. college students are studying overseas, many venturing past traditional destinations in Europe to universities farther afield - in Africa, Australia and the Middle East, a recent survey found.
The number of American students studying abroad rose 10.6 percent to 84,403 in 1994-95, continuing a 10-year upward trend, a report released yesterday by the New York-based Institute of International Education said.
"As recently as a decade ago, studying abroad was considered a luxury," said Richard Krasno, the institute's president. "I think it's now considered a more instrumental part of undergraduate education."
Carol Dickerman, director of the University's Office of International Programs, said the trends are visible at the University.
"More (University) students than ever are going abroad," Dickerman said. "Students still want to go to Europe more than any other destination, but more students are considering non-traditional places."
Dickerman said study-abroad programs are no longer viewed as being specifically for language students. Now students with various backgrounds think about spending time overseas, a trend supported by a growing number of University staff.
"I think there's a recognition that (studying abroad is) an important part of undergraduate education," Dickerman said. "What you see is people coming back and saying 'It changed my life.'"
Kelly Kostrzewa, who graduated from the University in 1994, studied abroad twice and said she values the experiences of going overseas.
"I had studied abroad in high school as an exchange student. The experience was extremely positive," Kostrzewa said. "I could become a member of (a different) community and culture by living there (and learn more this way) as opposed to reading about it."
Both her trips were to Europe, and Kostrzewa said that although she would like to visit Europe again, there are other places she wants to see.
"Probably somewhere that I have a friend. South America and Japan ... but it might be a while," she said.
While Australia, China and Costa Rica reported large percentage increases in American students, Britain still hosted the most - 19,410 students, or 23 percent of all study-abroad students.
France, Spain and Italy ranked second, third and fourth with 7,000 to 7,900 students.
University students seem to mirror the national trend in their choice of study-abroad destinations.
"There's a lot of interest now among (University) students in going to South Africa. There's certainly interest in China and Japan," Dickerman said. "There's also a lot of interest in Australia."
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.