For the fifth consecutive year, Arcadia University is ranked first in the U.S. in study abroad, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report.

This marks the sixth time in the past seven years that Arcadia has been No. 1 in its respective category for study abroad participation. Arcadia earned the recognition based on the percentage of undergraduate students participating in a study abroad experience at a master’s level college or university, as determined by the Institute of International Education, with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

“It is crucial for colleges and universities today to offer more than just study abroad and to address global issues in their curriculum,” said Dr. Nicolette DeVille Christensen, president of Arcadia University. “We are proud of our ranking and, as a leader in international education, are committed to creating rigorous academic and co-curricular opportunities that engage students in transformative educational experiences. These courses of study begin with Arcadia’s signature and pioneering programs during a student’s first year.”

“We are delighted at this news from the Institute of International Education,” said Lorna Stern, vice president of Arcadia University and executive director of The College of Global Studies. “An unwavering commitment to the importance and value of the international context to shape and inform developing minds is a challenge in these days of hard-pressed resources and myriad institutional priorities. Arcadia continues to believe that the institutional riches that are born from a dedicated focus upon global education will pay boundless dividends for our students, our staff, our faculty, and, ultimately, our communities.”

Arcadia University has been a leader in international education for nearly 70 years, since then-Beaver College first began sending students to study in post-war Europe. That legacy continues to be part of the Arcadia ethos. Approximately 70 percent of Arcadia students study abroad during their academic career.

“This ranking is a testament to the strength of Arcadia’s commitment to internationalization and to the breadth of our programming,” said Dr. Warren Haffar, dean of International Affairs at Arcadia. “From our unique programs for first-year students such as the University’s Preview program, to the global research projects of our faculty, to the international opportunities available through The College of Global Studies, the international experience is an integral part of an Arcadia education.”

For more information on all of Arcadia’s study abroad and international education programs, including the First-Year Study Abroad Experience (FYSAE), Preview, and Global Field Study courses, and on The College of Global Studies, visit www.arcadia.edu/studyabroad.

About the Open Doors Report

The Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange is published by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the United States. IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey of campuses regarding the international students in the United States since 1919, and with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since the early 1970s. The census is based on a survey of approximately 3,000 accredited U.S. institutions. Open Doors also conducts and reports on separate surveys on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit (since 1985), and on international scholars at U.S. universities and international students enrolled in pre-academic Intensive English Programs.