COD 2nd in nation with Study Abroad Student participants

The Institute for International Education ranks College of DuPage second nationally for number of community college students participating in study abroad programs.

During the 2010-2011 academic year, COD enrolled 146 students in international programs. Pellissippi State Technical Community College in Tennessee is first with 174 students, and Pasadena City College in California ranks third with 117.

Maren McKellin, coordinator of Field and Experiential Learning and Study Abroad, said College of DuPage embraces international education in all forms.

“We've offered many successful international offerings, including our language immersion programs in Costa Rica, France, Japan and Spain, as well as international educational excursions to more than 70 countries,” she said. “These programs provide our students with a world view that benefits their future endeavors, no matter what career they select.”

McKellin said these programs attract both students earning credits and community members who are interested in travel with an educational component.

“Our non-traditional students often have degrees and careers but like the idea of traveling with a professor who can educate them about a specific topic,” she said. “Some of these students continually enroll in different classes because they like what we do and how we do it.”

Founded in 1919, the IIE is a private nonprofit organization that creates programs of study and training for students, educators and professionals that include the flagship Fulbright Program and Gilman Scholarships administered for the U.S. Department of State.

For more information about Field and Experiential and Study Abroad programs, call (630) 942-2356 or email fieldstudiesaide@cod.edu.