Chico State’s Study Abroad Program Once Again Recognized as One of Nation’s Best

Before the world paused traveling internationally due to the global pandemic, students across the globe were having the adventure of their lifetimes studying abroad—including dozens from California State University, Chico.

And once again, as the Institute of International Education (IIE) recognized the nation’s most active colleges and universities for their participation in studying abroad, the University was among the top 10 in its category.

In its most recent Open Doors rankings for the 2018–2019 academic year (the most recent year for which data is available), the IIE ranked CSU, Chico’s Study Abroad and Exchange program at No. 7 in the nation—matching last year’s placement—for master’s colleges and universities, with 61 participants studying overseas for a year or longer.

This is the 15th consecutive year that CSU, Chico was placed on the IIE’s top 10 list for year-long participants.

“We’re very proud to once again be named a leading institution for year-long study abroad participation,” said Jennifer Gruber, the University’s interim associate vice president for International Education and Global Engagement (IEGE). “This national ranking for 2018–19 academic year participation reflects those values and support for our programs by faculty, staff and administrators.”

A study abroad or exchange experience is a life-changing experience and provides a number of positive learning outcomes for students—including increased academic focus, greater self-efficacy, and overall personal and professional growth, Gruber said. As a high-impact practice, global engagement is also a strategic priority of the University.

“This ranking was prior to COVID-19 international program suspensions, but even today our campus continues to facilitate meaningful global engagement and cultural learning through innovative virtual programs with partners abroad,” she said.

When cancellations of international study programs began in January 2020, the University brought home 123 students living beyond U.S. borders. While CSU policy has kept all international programs on hold, many students are embracing opportunities to study virtually with universities in countries including Japan, Uruguay and Ghana, among many others.

“The in-person experience is always better, but given that everyone has had to deal with COVID, it’s been a very good experience and a fulfilling one, too,” says Jonas Little, an international relations major who has taken online classes the last two semesters in partnership with Kansai Gaidai University. “I’ve met amazing people and had a really fun time learning and I’m grateful that I was still able to do that, even if it was virtual.”

Gruber knows many students like Little will be eager to have an international experience when health concerns and travel allow. A total of 342 CSU, Chico students studied abroad during the 2018–19 academic year, with Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Thailand and the Czech Republic as the top destinations among 39 available countries. Of those, 61 students were yearlong participants.

Other CSUs in the top 10 are second-ranked San Francisco State (166 participants); fifth-ranked Sonoma State (71); sixth-ranked Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (64); ninth-ranked CSU, Channel Islands (35); and Sacramento State and CSUN, both tied at No. 10 with 33 participants.

As a true international institution, CSU, Chico also serves as a destination for others around the world. In 2018–19, the University welcomed 317 students as well as 31 educators and scholars from 45 nations across the globe, with many others participating through its American Language and Culture Institute.