Study abroad program participation decreases

Some UNC-system schools have seen a decline in participation for study abroad programs as a result of financial strains, and they are rethinking their joint ventures with international universities.

The number of UNC-Chapel Hill students studying abroad dropped 10 percent from last year, said Bob Miles, associate dean for Study Abroad and International Exchanges. He said the reason for the decline is from economic pressures on students and their families.

Coordinators of programs at Appalachian State University and N.C. State University are considering changes to deal with economic uncertainties.

Study abroad

Students at ASU are campaigning to add a $5 fee to student tuition for a scholarship fund for students who hope to study abroad.

“This is something that the school can do now and is in great need,” said Jesse Lutabingwa, associate vice chancellor for international programs at the university.

ASU, along with many other state public universities, does not receive funding from the state for study abroad offices. Those offices are self-funded through student applications and fees and grants.

The university aims to pursue federal funding, Lutabingwa said.

In early August, the school received a $250,000 grant towards a sustainable development education project in Brazil, he said.

Study abroad programs at ASU have grown in popularity over the past few years, Lutabingwa said.

But the $5 fee would help students pay for the programs that have garnered interest.

The Study Abroad and International Exchange department at UNC-CH relies on funding from a $600 fee charged to participating students.

Joint ventures

N.C. State’s plans for a satellite campus at the Global University Campus in Songdo, South Korea, were placed on indefinite hold because of financial pressure.

“Now is not the time to go forward with a project that is so big and so broad ranging,” said Keith Nichols, director of media relations at the office of the university’s chancellor.

“However, with the movement towards globalization, international partnerships remain a top priority for N.C. State,” he said.

UNC-CH wants to start a project overseas as well, but the process is still in the early stages.

The Eshelman School of Pharmacy at UNC-CH is in talks with creating a joint pharmacy degree program with the National University of Singapore.

“All the resources for the program would be entirely supported from Singapore’s government,” said Bob Blouin, dean of the school.

The project is still in the early discussion stages, with a next step of presenting a preliminary proposal to the UNC-system Board of Governors in the spring.

Blouin says that UNC will not pursue the project if Singapore will not completely fund it.

Contact the State & National Editor at stnt@email.unc.edu.