Where do they come from and
what are they looking for?
Understanding the Study Abroad Programme at UL
Emmeline Searson Study Abroad Co-Ordinator
20th February 2013
Study Abroad at UL
• In existence for over 20 years
• Located within the International Education Division
• Summer School in Irish Studies
• New for 2013 – Summer School for Engineers
• On- Arrival Orientation
• Re- Entry & Exam Preparation
• Organised Field Trips
Partners
Universities
Overseas
Study
Abroad
University
of Limerick
Providers
Students
Study Abroad Figures 2011/12
Other Markets
Japan
Brazil
• Japan – Government
Initiative to encourage more
Japanese students to Study
Abroad
• Brazil – Science without
Borders – Study Abroad
and PhD Funding
USA
The State of the Union
• Open Doors 2012
• 273,996 US students studied abroad for academic credit in
2010/11
• Faculty Led and Short Term Programmes on the increase
• Island Programmes
ad Act
• Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act
• Getting Beyond ‘It was Great’
• Encouraging students from STEM areas to travel on Study
Abroad.
Open Doors Report 2012
• Ireland ranked 9th Study Abroad destination
• 2.6% of total numbers
• Up 3.1% on previous year
• Top Fields of Study
• Social Sciences 22.9%
• Business/Management 20.5%
• Engineering 3.5%
-9.1%
• 9,590 students 2010/11
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act
• Currently 1% of college students study abroad each year.
• 273,996 US students studied abroad for academic credit in
2010/11
• Increase of 1.3% over the previous year.
• Aim is that by 2020 1 million US Students would have studied
abroad for credit each year.
• Prepare students for the global market place
• Open Doors – US Student participation in study abroad has
more than tripled over the past decade.
STEM
Stroud, A. (2010). Who plans (not) to study abroad? An
examination of U.S. student intent. Journal of Studies in
International Education.
• 4 year public University in the Northeast
• Lack of support from faculty members
• Inflexible requirements
Motivators for Students
• Irish Heritage
• Myths & Legends
• Availability of Module
• On Campus
Accommodation
• English speaking country
• Proximity to international
Airport
• Broaden their horizons
What do students want?
• Quality Programmes &
Service – EI Survey 2011
• Easy credit transfer – allows
students to progress
• Availability of Modules
• Meet Irish Students
• Orientation
• Fun 
• Support
Where do our students come from in the
US…?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Top 5 States for 2011/12
Pennsylvania 44
New York 39
New Hampshire 29
Wisconsin 31
Illinois 26
Indiana 25
• California 9th Destination
Top US States
Top 10 Modules –Spring ‘12
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
MU4136 – Irish Music & Dance
GA4105 – Irish Folklore
GA4116 – Irish language
CU4026 – How to Read a Film: Intro to Film Studies
HI4102 – Ireland: Revolution & Independence 1898-1968
PS4032 –Psychology & Social Issues
MK4002 – Marketing
EH4126 – Imagined Spaces Irish Cultural Texts
CU4112 – Cultural Studies 2: Language & Culture
GY4018 – Historical/Cultural Geography of Modern
Ireland.
Study Abroad Programme
Module Selection 1999/2000
Business
14%
Education
1%
Engineering
2%
Science
17%
Informatics
2%
Humanities
64%
Science
Informatics
Humanities
Engineering
Business
Education
MAJORS OF US
STUDENTS 1999/2000
Business
23%
Science
29%
Education
10%
Informatics
6%
Humanities
30%
Engineering
2%
Business
Education
Engineering
Humanities
Informatics
Science
Study Abroad Majors 2011/12
Why UL?
• Campus & Sense of Community
• On campus accommodation
• Semester/QCA/Modules
• Other location
• Word of Mouth
• Flexibility & Choice of
• Niche programmes: Equine
• Location – Easy access to other places
• Small city & Rural
Erin Ryan Montana State University
• Civil Engineering Student Talk about her experience
in UL
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_s7BSYQ
obo&list=UUBJULrbfzlkN2yC3gi6YI1g&index=7
http://www.youtube.com/watc?v=R_s7B
SYQobo&list=UUBJULrbfzlkN2yC3gi6YI1g
&index=7
International Student Barometer
•
Survey of 5,000 international
Students
•
Involved 238 Institutions
worldwide
•
Benchmarked 7 Irish Universities
•
Independent research group iGraduate
International Student Barometer
Living
Support
Arrival
Learning
• UL Voted as having best overall living experience.
• UL Voted Number 1 in providing best student support
• UL Voted Number 1 in terms of Warmest Welcomes
• Best multi-cultural teaching experience
International Student Barometer
• UL Scored first out of 238 institutions:
• Social Activities
• Opportunities to experience Irish
culture
• Social Facilities
• Accommodation Office
• Clubs & Societies
How is the programme promoted?
• Study Abroad Fairs Overseas
• Conferences in the USA
• On campus visits – Faculty/Providers & Students
• 17 visits in AY 2011/12, including 3 group visits.
• Education Ireland
Challenge
Limerick
Thank You
• Any Questions……?