Statistics for International Study from 1997-2006
International Studies
Point Loma Nazarene University participates in selected semester-long programs for students who would benefit from an academic experience that cannot be offered on the San Diego campus. These programs are officially Point Loma endorsed and are offered through Point Loma Nazarene University and other institutions. There has generally been a steady rise in the involvement of our students in international studies. The only changes in this upward movement have come, as one might expect, after episodes of international tension and concern. Thus the 2001-2002 data showed a significant drop after the September 11 incident.
- Over the past eight years, PLNU has sent students to 47 different countries through study abroad.
- 27% of last year’s (2005) graduating seniors had studied abroad during their time at PLNU. That number is expected to grow with this year’s class.
- Number of students studying abroad by year and term:
| |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Total |
| 97/98: |
0 |
18 |
82 |
100 |
| 98/99: |
9 |
15 |
12 |
36 |
| 99/00: |
25 |
31 |
55 |
111 |
| 00/01: |
31 |
78 |
109 |
218 |
| 01/02: |
53 |
45 |
41 |
139 |
| 02/03: |
56 |
89 |
33 |
178 |
| 03/04: |
69 |
87 |
42 |
198 |
| 04/05: |
89 |
74 |
73 |
236 |
| 05/06: |
65 |
110 |
? |
175 + Summer (est. 50+) |
- The 236 total students who studied abroad in 04/05 represented 10.5% of the total undergraduate enrollment. The national average for study abroad participation is between 1 and 2%.
List of countries in which PLNU students have studied abroad (47):
| Argentina |
Armenia |
Australia |
Austria |
| Balkans |
Belgium |
Belize |
Chile |
| China |
Costa Rica |
Croatia |
Cyprus |
| Czech Republic |
Denmark |
Ecuador |
Egypt |
| England |
Fiji |
France |
Germany |
| Greece |
Guatemala |
India |
Indonesia |
| Ireland |
Israel |
Italy |
Kenya |
| Korea |
Japan |
Lithuania |
Malta |
| Mexico |
Netherlands |
New Zealand |
Poland |
| Romania |
Russia |
Scotland |
South Africa |
| Spain |
Switzerland |
Tanzania |
Thailand |
| Trinidad & Tobago |
Ukraine |
Wales |
|
| Various countries (Semester at Sea) |
|
|
|
There has been research conducted to determine if there is a change in perspective by students who participated in the International Study program. Students who return from an international experience are asked to write a reflection piece on their encounter with a different culture and what that encounter has meant in their lives. This anecdotal data indicates that study abroad is indeed an effective way to help students open up to other cultures and ideas.
Below are quotes from recent study abroad students.
“We've learned so much about ancient history, the development of Anglo-Saxon literature and on through the middle ages, the various geographic sites from the Romans to the Normans, ancient philosophy and mythology, and the rise and fall of English monasticism. All of this sounds very boring and dull, and rather irrelevant to anything of importance to today and all of our modern problems and issues. Oddly enough though one of the most important things that I'm learning is how all of these things developed into, and even influenced the way that the world is today. It's all so interesting and the way that I'm learning how history has played itself out over the ages has me more fascinated than I've ever been. Wow, I'm really proving just how much of a nerd I am right now. Ah well, I suppose that this is what someplace like Oxford will do to you, if you let it.”
“So far the only crisis has been trying to figure out the biggest and most extensive university library in the world...which almost had me in tears because it is so complex...but it was a learning process and seriously everyone here came to the conclusion that once we figured it all out (with the 10 million plus items catalogued), it meant that we could figure anything out. I think one of the most valuable things I've learned so far is how Christians are not called to escape from the world, including the intellectual world of ideas, but to enter it with expectations of contributing to it. If we learn what the role of history, religion, government, philosophy, literature etc. has played in the past, then this will only help us understand how these things are working themselves out now, and how they will in the future. This is one of the keys we are given to help guide the culture away from its lostness and give it the meaning from the Ultimate Truth that has proven to be the only hope for the future.” Lauren Wallace (who studied in Oxford in the fall of 05).
“My experience with the Beijing Program for Asian studies was more than a typical study abroad program. It was a life changing adventure that combined academics with travel, amazing professors, and eager students.” Heidi Hedge (who will be returning to Beijing this fall to work for the study abroad program she studied with).
“I had no idea that studying abroad in Florence would become such a defining time in my life. I can look back and see how much I grew in understanding of other people, the world, God, and myself. But it didn’t stop in Florence or Europe; I went to Chile for a spring break trip, Africa with LoveWorks, and lived in Argentina and Bolivia for the last eight months. Back on the shores of my own country I feel better prepared, more aware, and ready to find a path of service and impact in my world and society.” Joshua Alcorn (who has moved to D.C. to gain further experience after his time abroad).
“Yes, I am here in Thailand doing a study abroad program with an internship at Amnesty International. So far, all I can say is that it has been the experience of a lifetime. I am loving every minute here and am just worried that my remaining too months will not be long enough!!
April is already coming waaaaaayy too soon!!” Wendy Wellman (in Thailand this semester).