COD study abroad program ranks second among U.S. community colleges

The Institute of International Education recently ranked College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn second among community colleges nationwide for international study opportunities.

COD's Field and Experiential Learning/Study Abroad/Global Education program is designed to create new opportunities for students.

"Students and community members feel comfortable traveling with College of DuPage. They see the value of study abroad opportunities and want to travel with a professor to get the added benefit of that expert insight," said Maren McKellin, Field Studies/Study Abroad/Global Education program manager.

The College offers trips of varying length to a variety of places each year. For students wanting to immerse themselves fully in a language and culture, the office coordinates traditional semester abroad opportunities. Individuals interested in learning a new language or improving one they already speak can choose from among seven summer language immersion programs to locations including Italy, Costa Rica and Japan. Students interested in diving a little deeper into a single subject, like Russian History or the Geology of Iceland, can enroll in short-term field studies.

"Fewer than 10 percent of students in higher education study abroad and we want to change that," McKellin said.