Oswego State’s international studies office has achieved an unprecedented 20 percent student body participation in their study abroad programs.

Leading up to this accomplishment, Oswego State’s strategy to encourage students to study abroad includes four major aspects: the institutional commitment for studying abroad, faculty engagement, support from administration and innovative mentoring and campaigns, Director of International Education and Programs Joshua McKeown said.

“One of the most supportive phases of the 20 percent initiative has been the partnership with the Institute of International Educations ‘Generation Study Abroad’ national campaign,” McKeown said. “It’s a national goal to double study abroad participation by U.S. higher education students. We achieved our goal of a 20 percent participation rate at SUNY Oswego.”

Partnering with faculty on campus has led to a strong part of the success of the study abroad initiative. Currently there are dozens of faculty-led courses, which encompass a three-credit course and about a week of travel. These programs allow students with limited time, finances or those in need of extra credit hours to spend time abroad. 

“Studying abroad was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” said Mara Engelmann, a sophomore who participated in a quarter course to Dublin, Ireland. “It’s hands-on learning which is how I learn best.”

Another advantage of the faculty-led courses is the opportunity to be able to bond with a professor over matter that is not strictly related to the classroom.

“Faculty mentoring becomes much more possible when you have more faculty-led programs,” McKeown said.

The “I Too, Am Study Abroad” campaign was introduced to encourage students of all backgrounds to take flight and immerse themselves in the myriad of international programs offered through Oswego State. During the 2014-2015 academic school year, 25 percent of students studying abroad were composed of minorities. 

In addition, the ability to travel and study abroad often comes at a price that many students believe is unaffordable. However, many scholarships are offered through the office of international education, further contributing to the growing number of students studying abroad.

“Great support from the administration to make study abroad affordable, including our campus’ endowed scholarships for study abroad, the GETGO grant program from the modern languages and literatures department and other sophisticated are ways to keep study abroad within financial reach,” McKeown said.

These opportunities, combined with the financial aid and assistance can help students of varying backgrounds realize they have the opportunity to spend time abroad.

Many students find that studying abroad is one of their fondest and most eye-opening experiences as a college student. 

Dakota Latham, a senior, said studying abroad was “the best way to realize how small you are, yet how big of an impact you can make.”

A fellow traveler on her quarter one trip to Ecuador was junior Nina Pugilisi, who said, “Studying abroad was one of the most humbling experiences of my life, no better way to learn than by travel.”