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Miami ranks 2nd in the nation for percentage of undergraduate study abroad

Winter Faculty-Led Programs Account for Strong Showing in Pandemic-Shortened Year

Life at Altitude faculty-led program

Students in Miami's "Life at Altitude" faculty-led program pause while hiking in the Himalayas

Miami University’s rate of study abroad for undergraduates ranks second in the U.S. among public doctoral universities, according to the latest Open Doors® report released by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on Monday, November 15. This report covers the 2019-2020 academic year.

Open Doors is a comprehensive information resource on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities. This survey of international exchange activity in the United States is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IIE.

Impact of Faculty-Led Programs

During the 2019-2020 academic year, 1,047 Miami students earned study abroad credit, traveling to 43 different countries. As in previous years, a majority of students who studied abroad did so through the Miami University John E. Dolibois European Center or on faculty-led programs.

Culturally immersive faculty-led study abroad programs are led by Miami University faculty who customize a global experience for students and focus in a wide variety of disciplines including language, global health, literature, business, and more.

Although study abroad programs worldwide were was cut short or canceled in March 2020 by the pandemic, Miami's totals included 519 students who went abroad during winter term. Of those students, 85% went on 22 Miami faculty led programs abroad.

The high percentage of students traveling in faculty-led programs demonstrates an exceptional institutional commitment to study abroad. "Educational travel programs at Miami University have allowed many students to participate in opportunities to learn outside of the classroom and engage in meaningful interactions with faculty and other students, as they integrate into diverse cultures where they discover more about themselves and expand their minds," said Cheryl Young, associate vice president of Global Initiatives. 

Ryan Dye, director of Education Abroad, said, "Our high ranking demonstrates Miami's unwavering support for education abroad and our students' intrepid spirit. I am proud that we can offer a variety of high-quality programs that help students to achieve their personal, academic and professional goals."

The Open Doors report is released yearly during International Education Week.

View all current Miami Study Abroad and Away Programs »

Miami Study Abroad By the Numbers

2019-2020 Academic Year

#1 institution in the State of Ohio for the total number of students studying abroad during the 2019-2020 academic year

#2 among U.S. public doctoral institutions for the percent of undergraduates who study abroad prior to graduation (tied for #2 with University of Delaware at 29.9%)

#15 among all U.S. doctoral institutions for the total number of students participating in short-term study abroad programs

#26 among all U.S. institutions for the total number of students studying abroad for academic credit in 2019-2020

Open Doors Data and Reporting

Student with Miami flag looks toward mountains