Education Abroad

CU Boulder’s study abroad participation up 33%

 November 19, 2024—Interest in studying abroad has increased consistently at the University of Colorado Boulder since its record-breaking recovery from the pandemic in FY 2022. Today, CU Boulder’s Education Abroad office reports a 33% increase in participation between spring 2024 and spring 2025. After sending record-breaking numbers abroad in spring 2023 and 2024, CU Boulder is currently preparing to send 1,636 students around the world in spring 2025, up from 1,230 last year. The university also reports that annual participation is up 13% in FY 2024 (2,289) compared to FY 2023 (2,034). 

This news comes in time to celebrate International Education Week in the United States. International Education Week is national initiative that celebrates all of the wonderful opportunities and benefits international education provides, and the increased cultural understandings and global citizenship it fosters.

And to kick off International Education Week, the annual Open Doors Report was released yesterday. CU Boulder continued its climb in the rankings to fourth place among 2,000 peer institutions that sent students abroad on semester-length programs during the 2022-23 academic year. CU advanced from fifth in 2021-22 and eighth in 2020-2021. The Open Doors Report, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, includes statistics on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit.  

“Our mission is to provide all students with global, challenging, and inclusive academic programs. These high impact experiences equip students with the critical skills they need for college and their future careers,” said Education Abroad director Sylvie Burnet-Jones. “Going abroad is the highlight of many students’ careers at CU Boulder, and it is an experience that will continue to open doors for them for a lifetime.” 

While Western Europe continues to be the most popular region, Education Abroad has chosen Latin America as this year’s Region of the Year to expand student awareness of programs in nontraditional locations around the world. Education Abroad offers over 60 programs across 13 Latin American countries. And to increase access among students of all backgrounds and income levels, the Region of the Year initiative provides students who choose to study in Latin America a $2,000 Explorer Scholarship, with additional funding available. 

CU Boulder provides comprehensive support for students during all stages of the process, including pre-departure, while abroad and once students have returned to CU Boulder. Guidance on program selection, scholarships, health and safety information, and earning in-residence credit toward degrees while abroad is also available.

Recent returnees and students currently abroad can also participate in IEW here on campus by participating in Education Abroad’s annual photo contest and Pizza & Perspectives with ISSS on Wednesday.

Photo by Shantiel Emory

Last updated November 2024