Union College was ranked 11th of U.S. colleges in the number of students who studied abroad during 1999-2000, according to a survey by the Institute for International Education (IIE).
Union has been ranked in the top 20 among colleges granting bachelor's degrees for four of the last five years in the IIE study.
Union had 336 students – nearly 17 percent of its total enrollment of 2000 – study abroad during the 1999-2000 academic year. About 70 percent of Union students study abroad during their time at the College.
“We're pleased to be represented in this study,” said Bill Thomas, director of Union's international programs, which was established in 1970. “This is a reflection of Union's commitment to international study.”
The College of St. Benedict/St. John topped the list with 617 students. St. Olaf was second with 558, Colgate third with 503.
IIE reported that nearly 144,000 U.S. students who studied abroad in 1999-2000 represented nearly an 11 percent increase over the previous year. The statistics are from the organization's annual report on international education exchange, available on the IIE Web site: www.opendoorsweb.org.