Since the tragic events of Sept. 11, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point�s (UWSP) International Programs (IP) staff has been closely monitoring student demand for one of the nation�s top undergraduate study abroad programs.

"Overall, I think the worst is behind us as our enrollments are not only holding but growing. We had approximately 440 students studying abroad in 2003," said David Staszak, director of IP. "Some folks may be surprised to learn that terrorism was not ranked by our students as a major concern in applying for study abroad. Money remains the determinant factor for students and their families. Fortunately, we have a myriad of programs with a wide range of costs and financial support packages to meet the needs of a majority of our students."

According to Staszak, the top three UWSP study abroad destinations remain London, Australia and New Zealand. Growth areas are in summer and concentrated study abroad programs. Since 1997 there has been a 30 percent increase in semester-long programs and a 160 percent increase in short-term programs. Five new programs have been implemented in the past two years: a business internship program in Chengdu, China, a summer language immersion program in Oaxaca, Mexico, a semester-long spring program in Christchurch, New Zealand, a semester-long spring program in Szeged, Hungary, and a Japan/USA summer camp in Nagasaki, Japan.

"We remain steadfast in trying to attain UW System�s goal of having at least 25 percent of graduates study abroad. This also has become part of UWSP�s overall strategic plan," said Staszak. "We believe in offering affordable opportunities for our students, a vast majority of them from Wisconsin, to study abroad and become better prepared to compete and succeed in a global economy."

Nationally, approximately one percent of all college students participate in study abroad programs. UWSP, which sends more than 14 percent of its graduates abroad, remains the top-ranked UW System comprehensive campus. According to the Institute of International Education, UWSP ranks number 17 in the nation among master�s level institutions for the number of students studying abroad.