More students will be offered opportunities for study abroad through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s initiative to double student participation in International Programs (IP) over the next five years.

A goal set by the UW System states that 25 percent of undergraduates systemwide should experience study abroad. UWSP plans to meet this goal by increasing both semester and short-term overseas programs.

According to IP Director David Staszak, UWSP already leads the UW System with about 15 percent of its graduating students having studied abroad, compared to the system average of 6.6 percent. UWSP also ranks 13^th in the nation for sending students overseas, according to the Institute of International Education.

"UWSP is in a unique position to meet the UW System goal," Staszak said, "because of the lead we have, our national ranking and our reputation for the highest quality and most affordable programs."

Vice Chancellor Bill Meyer agreed. "Students are absolutely elated by their experience and the cost of our programs," which is less than other universities while as high in quality, he said. Having just visited the UWSP program in Magdeburg, Germany, Meyer added that people at the university there appreciated the quality of the students as well as the UWSP staff.

"I see wonderful things for the future of International Programs," he said.

While addressing the system goal, Staszak said UWSP needs to address the increased demand for its programs, some already at full capacity. Trips to popular locales such as Great Britain and the South Pacific are filled for the 2001-2002 school year, so students are being asked to wait another year or choose another location. Faculty members with plans for leading short-term programs also have been turned away due to a lack of resources, he said.

The first step toward meeting the 25 percent goal will be completed by the fall with the hiring of three additional IP staff members and an increase in office space.

IP also plans on doubling the number of short-term programs for summer, spring and winter breaks, adding one or two new programs per year for five years. Existing programs to Europe, Central America and Africa would be scheduled more often and Asia will be targeted for business study.

Talk has already begun regarding semester-long programs in Christchurch, New Zealand, at the University of Canterbury and in Szeged, Hungary, Staszak said. Economics Professor Jin Wang has expressed interest in leading a semester in China to study international business and others are interested in programs in Greece, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Africa. Some of these programs may begin as short-term and grow to semester-long trips.

Staff at current semester sites, which also include Poland, Spain, France and Germany, have responded positively to expanding programs, he added.

IP also will explore possibilities of having dual semester abroad programs in the same country at the same time but at different home bases. Language-based programs, which require students to speak French, Spanish or German, may be offered in the summer in addition to those traditionally offered in spring semesters.

With the growth in programs, the student costs will increase by a maximum of $140 per student, Staszak said, "continuing the affordability while offering more opportunities. As far as we know, UWSP will still have the lowest administrative fee in the UW System." Need-based student scholarships are available to help cover this additional fee.

Meeting the participation goal will be a campus effort, Staszak said, as more foreign language and culture courses will be needed as well as additional faculty leaders. A track of courses for those who want to study abroad may be developed and more faculty members will be able to lead trips created around their areas of specialization.

Trips offered this summer will include English Professor Kathy Ackley taking students to London to study mystery writers, Music Professor Patrick Miles heading to Europe with a group to study opera firsthand, Professor Steven Sherwin�s students going to London to study drama, and interior architecture and art students traveling to Switzerland, Germany, France and the Czech Republic with Professor Mark Nelson.

One thing that won�t change is IP�s dedication to preparing students for international study and travel, Staszak said. There is an emphasis on academics.

"We take seriously the responsibility of letting students know what they�re getting into," he said. "We try to make sure their expectations are the same as the university�s."

Preparations include informational selection meetings, one-on-one personal interviews and workshop seminars with parents and students before they leave. "There are risks to be addressed, but it�s safer in European big cities than in those in the United States," he added.

"Most of our students come back exceptionally enthusiastic and encourage their contemporaries to go overseas," Staszak said. "Travel has life changing effects on students, building maturity and self confidence."

One UWSP student wrote IP while abroad. "We�ve interacted with other Americans studying in London and Stevens Point has the best program offered by far," said Kaia Friedli, Ripon. "Thanks for everything you�ve done to make it an experience of a lifetime for us all."

Students from other campuses also travel with UWSP programs. Kevin Krieg, a student at UW-La Crosse went on the South Pacific trip and reported, "I felt the experience to be the most rewarding and educational event of my life. The value was impressive. The trip was well planned, adventurous and highly entertaining. Your final grade is A-plus."

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