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2020 Open Doors Report Ranks UT Austin No. 3 in the U.S. for Study Abroad Participation

  • Nov 16, 2020

For the second year in a row, The University of Texas at Austin has the third-highest study abroad participation among U.S. universities, according to the 2020 Open Doors Report released today by the Institute of International Education. 

The 2020 Open Doors Report analyzed data from the 2018-19 academic year, finding that 3,456 UT students studied abroad on credit-bearing programs, an increase of nearly five percent over the previous year. The top ten countries where UT students studied abroad include Spain, England, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Germany, South Korea, South Africa, Costa Rica, Australia and China.

“UT students are eager to engage with the world, and we are delighted to be recognized as a leader in study abroad participation,” said Sonia Feigenbaum, senior vice provost for global engagement and chief international officer. “This achievement is a testament to the unyielding commitment of the Education Abroad team at Texas Global to creating access to international learning opportunities for all students. While these challenging times have limited our ability to travel, they have shown us that our community is nimble and resilient. We look forward to resuming a robust level of student mobility in the near future.”

The Open Doors Report, compiled by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, is a comprehensive survey of international exchange activity in the U.S. and the most widely-referenced measure of U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit and international students and scholars studying or teaching in higher education in the U.S.

The report also confirms that UT Austin is a leading host institution for international students, ranking No. 34 among all U.S. universities enrolling international students.

The release of the 2020 Open Doors Report coincides with International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education that showcases and stresses the significance of global education and worldwide exchange. Throughout the week, Texas Global will host and promote a variety of virtual and in-person events organized by academic departments, student organizations and offices across campus to showcase the breadth and depth of international education at UT.