June 30, 2022
by Jere W. Morehead, President
The University of Georgia is one of the leading universities in the U.S. for study abroad participation. Nearly 3,000 UGA students studied abroad in the 2021–2022 academic year in 72 different countries spanning all seven continents. Maymester and summer programs are the most popular choices for our students, meaning that many are abroad right now, gaining valuable international experience that will positively impact their academic and professional futures.
Students who study abroad as undergraduates are more likely to complete their bachelor’s degree within four years, and to do so with a higher cumulative GPA, than students from similar backgrounds who do not study abroad. Further, study abroad imparts many benefits to students that employers are seeking, such as increased international knowledge, understanding of global issues, and intercultural communication skills; improved cognitive flexibility, adaptability, and reflective thought; and greater self-reliance and self-confidence.
UGA students have a world of opportunities available to them, whether they study at one of the University of Georgia’s two international centers in Oxford, England, and Cortona, Italy; choose one of the dozens of programs led by UGA faculty; or take a different approach altogether. I look forward to the many ways the students returning from study abroad will enrich our learning environment on campus this fall.