In November, the 2015 Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education (IIE) ranked Arcadia University first in the nation for the percentage of undergraduate students studying abroad. This honor has become almost an annual occurrence for the better part of a decade now, and it highlights our commitment to providing students with the distinctively global learning experience that has been an integral part of the University’s mission for over 70 years.

Before students arrive at Arcadia University, we underscore for them the importance of developing a global perspective and engaging in conversations about life’s boundaries and complexities both here and abroad. We believe this contributes to a significant percentage of Arcadia students pursuing subsidized international study in their first year, either for a semester or for a shorter period where the international segment is embedded in their semester coursework. Students are then actively mentored as they seek to further their academic program(s) through additional academic programming abroad.

As crucial as it is to offer a robust array of global study programs to undergraduates, providing international opportunities to graduate students is equally important at Arcadia. Although not a rubric that is measured by national standards, it is one that is a priority across our graduate programs and important to our faculty as well. The international study opportunities embedded in our graduate curricula formulate global field study programs that are directly relevant to each academic program’s particular professional field.

Arcadia students and our alumni have benefitted tremendously from their international education experiences. It is a common theme I hear when talking with students and alumni about their time at Arcadia. I treasure the stories from our alumni who tell me they have returned to the country of their study. They still ask after The College of Global Studies directors who had such an impact on their in-country study and experience, and they still reference their faculty who implored them to study abroad. Our global perspective centers us every day and is a rich legacy to continue to build upon with each class of students, no matter the level or course of study.

Thank you so very much for being a part of our wonderful institution and campus life. I look forward to continuing my interactions with each of you.

Looking forward,

Nicolette DeVille Christensen, M.B.A., Ph.D.
President