THE UNIVERSITY'S two most important administration initiatives for the twenty-first century include the goal that in the future, 80 percent of undergraduate students study abroad. Though well-intentioned and ambitious, these plans do not go far enough. The Ten-Year Academic Plan and the Virginia 2020 goals show that the University does not have 20/20 foresight. Instead of aiming for only 80 percent study abroad participation rates, the University should make 100 percent participation by 2010 its goal, and actively back this mission by devoting the necessary resources to implement itUniversal participation can be accomplished by making study abroad a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students.
Just as area requirements are in place so students gain a well-rounded, liberal arts education while on Grounds, universal study abroad should be implemented so students become well-informed global citizens. Requiring that all undergraduate students, including transfer and international students, complete at least one January Term, summer, semester- or year-long study abroad experience will enable every student to gain a global perspective about their area of study, or a completely unrelated field, through immersion.
According to the University's International Studies Office, 1,914 students studied or conducted independent research abroad during the 2006-07 school year. This number represents a great accomplishment for the University, and reflects an upward trend in participation rates during the past five years. However, the number of students traveling abroad is still too low.
Most concerning is the fact that current study abroad participation is skewed toward certain racial groups. According to the ISO, during the 2006-07 school year, 71 percent of students who studied internationally identified themselves as being "generally white." Another eight percent refused to list their race. Only five percent of students studying abroad identified themselves as "generally black." This compares with African-Americans comprising 8.4 percent of the student body during the 2006-07 school year. Although the University's average of African-Americans studying abroad is higher than the national average of 3.5%, it is still unacceptable..
Along with African-Americans, men are also underrepresented. During the 2006-07 school year, 65 percent of students going abroad were female despite the fact that they comprise only 55 percent of the student body. Compulsory study abroad would boost male and African-American participation and consequently rectify current inequities.
Instead of being seen as an onerous burden, a universal study abroad requirement should be viewed as a great opportunity. Study abroad enables students to take courses and conduct original research in locations that would be extremely costly to visit outside of a university-structured program. College is for most of us the only time that we will be able to travel to foreign locations for extended amounts of time at reasonable cost. Study abroad is one of the most worthwhile experiences we can gain from college. Additionally, as economic, political and social networks become increasingly globalized, students with an international perspective and experience will be distinctly advantaged.
Universal study abroad also greatly aids foreign language instruction programs on and off Grounds.. Students are currently required to demonstrate language competency through either test results or completion of language courses at the University. Study abroad would complement these existing requirements and allow students to strengthen their language abilities.
Even international students would benefit from universal study abroad. Such students are currently taking part infour-year immersion programs of sorts by enrolling at the University. Studying in another foreign country would further benefit these students. Imagine the experience of a China native studying in Taiwan for a semester, or a student from Pakistan taking a January Term trip to India. These students would examine and possibly reconsider long-held opinions while maturing as global citizens and scholars.
Additionally, study abroad will aid students when they apply to graduate schools and jobs. ISO Director Rebecca S. Brown notes "employers will come [to the University] and specifically look for students that have studied abroad." Professions ranging from architecture to accounting are being influenced by globalization and outsourcing. More worldly employees are in high demand, and global perspectives can only be gained through a combination of classroom instruction and study abroad.
Furthermore, 100 percent student participation in study abroad will distinguish the University from its peers. Harvard University considered implementing mandatory study abroad during the tenure of Larry Summers. That idea was scrapped, however, after Summers was sacked as president. The University would attract better applicants and more top job recruiters if it became the first nationally prominent university to have 100 percent of its students study abroad.
In order to achieve this goal, the University must devote significant financial resources to foreign travel funds. Under my proposal, students who currently qualify for the AccessUVa financial aid program would qualify for scholarship funds to enable study abroad. A separate endowment paying for such travel must be established, with University, corporate, and alumni donations providing funding.
Though universal study abroad will require a significant financial commitment on the part of the University, it is an initiative worth undertaking. Study abroad confers too many academic, personal, and employment advantages to be enjoyed by a minority of students. A great deal of time and resources have been spent over the past several years discussing how the University can distinguish itself from peers and enter the upper echelon of higher education. Instituting universal study abroad would greatly aid the University in achieving this goal. Universal study abroad must cease to be a foreign concept at the University.
James Rogers is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer. He is a first year in the College of Arts & Sciences.
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