San Diego State ranked first in the nation among public universities when it comes to the percentage of its students studying abroad, the university announced Tuesday.
The Institute for International Education's Open Doors report ranked SDSU ninth in the nation for study abroad when counting the total number of students who studied outside the U.S. in the 2014-15 academic year. There were 2,422 SDSU students in foreign countries that year, or seven percent of the student enrollment.
In 2015-16, the most recent academic year where data is available, a record number of 2,660 SDSU students studied abroad.
"Having the opportunity to explore the world during their college years is a transformational experience for our students," said Eric Rivera, SDSU's vice president for Student Affairs.
"This is especially true for students who have not spent time in another country, which is why it is important that we provide the opportunity for all students to study abroad,'' he said. "The skills, perspectives and friendships made during their time abroad will stay with them for a lifetime."
SDSU students studied in 65 different countries during the 2014-15 academic year, with the top five most popular destinations being Spain, Mexico, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.
"Study abroad opportunities are an integral part of student engagement and student success,'' said Chukuka Enwemeka, SDSU provost and senior vice president. "The university's goal is to offer a broad variety of programs so that every student who wishes to broaden his or her horizon and experience a different culture and learning environment can make that dream a reality.''
The Open Doors report is published annually by the Institute of International Education, an independent, nonprofit organization, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
