Senior Austin Manierre spent last semester living in the coldest winter in recorded history in Copenhagen, Denmark as part of the SMU Abroad program.In spite of the blistering cold, Austin still managed to enjoy his time taking classes in Copenhagen.Austin recalls that “classes were not too challenging, so it was good to have free time to go out and explore the city.”While he spent a lot of time venturing through the city of Copenhagen, Austin also enjoyed the three week-long breaks that the program gave students to explore other countries.For those breaks Austin went to Spain, France, and Croatia, respectively.“You’re exposed to so much more than you see here in Dallas.” Austin explains.“You get to be exposed to the local culture.”
Austin is just one of the hundreds of thousands of American students who choose to take part in study abroad programs throughout the world.Studying abroad has become an increasingly popular way for students to earn credit hours while travelling the world.According to a fact sheet released by the Institute of International Education, a nonprofit organization dedicated to study abroad programs, enrollment in international study programs has tripled over the past two decades.Students are now flocking to other countries in record numbers, with the U.S. sending 283,332 students to other countries for study programs during the 2011/2012 school year.The top five countries to study in last year were the United Kingdom with 12.2 percent of all students abroad, Italy with 10.5 percent, Spain with 9.3 percent, France with 6.1 percent, and China with 5.3 percent.
SMU’s abroad program sends hundreds of students to foreign countries each year through study and internship programs.“We send about 500 students abroad every year, with 300-350 students going for Summer school, with the rest going for spring or fall semester programs,” says program director Dr. Catherine Winnie.The SMU Abroad office offers almost 150 programs every year, with some programs being dropped and added each year, according Dr. Winnie.Dr. Winnie is a proponent of the program because of the amount of freedom that she feels it gives students.“With study abroad, you’re in charge.You pick the program, you choose the classes,” Dr. Winnie affirms.Students can gain up to a full semester’s worth of credits when enrolled in a Fall or Spring semester program, or half of a semester’s credit for Summer sessions.According to Dr. Winnie, the fastest growing programs in SMU Abroad are the internship programs offered in London, Sydney, and two locations in China.These programs facilitate students looking to get internships in a foreign country, but leaves students without a faculty member to help guide them, which leaves the student to be a little more independent.The most popular destinations for SMU students traveling abroad include programs in London, Australia, and Paris.Information sessions on SMU Abroad programs are held every Monday through Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in room 211 of the Laura Lee Blanton building.For those students more serious about their interest in studying abroad, the program does offer special SMU Abroad advisers, who can be reached at 214-768-2338.
Junior Chris Aulet spent this past summer in England as part of the SMU –in-London Communications program.“One of my older brothers had studied abroad,” Chris recalls, “and he suggested that I should look into it as well.”Once he got to England, Chris had a great time as a part of the program.“Most of my classes involved traveling to historic sites, so there usually wasn’t that much work.” Like Senior Austin Manierre, Chris enjoyed the free time he was given that allowed him to travel across Europe.“Getting to visit Amsterdam and the Scottish Highlands gave me the chance to see two vastly different cultures and ways of life,” Chris explains.Chris believes that the abroad program truly has enhanced his college experience, and he affirms that he would “one hundred percent tell other students to do it”.
