January 01, 2018

International Education Updates and Goals

In the 2017-18 school year, Beloit reversed what had been a decline in the number of students studying abroad compared with the previous year.

The Office of International Education shared this fact and other information in presentations held last fall that gave an overview of international education at Beloit.

The college saw a 30 percent increase in students studying abroad in 2017-18 over 2016-17. A total of 34 percent of Beloit students studied abroad in 2017-18. The upswing can be attributed in part to improved communication with students and their families, including more transparency around costs. The college has stepped up efforts to make students aware of information about study abroad options organized by academic majors and minors. Students can also easily find a breakdown of costs and options for study abroad, including those that cost less than a semester on campus.

The Office of International Education is also striving for greater access and equity around off-campus study, including outreach to students with disabilities, athletes, domestic minority students, and male students, who are under-represented in study abroad. At Beloit’s annual International Symposium, held in November, a panel discussion called “Where are the Men? A Conversation About Why So Few Study Off-Campus,” sought to dispel myths and explore some of the reasons male students may not be participating.

The report also included information about Beloit’s international student population, which is on the rise. In 2014-15, the percentage of international degree and exchange students was 9 percent. By 2017-18, international students represented 15 percent of the total student population. Where do students come to Beloit from? All over the world, but the majority of students this year, 66 percent, are from East Asia (China, Japan, and South Korea).