In addition to all these things, he also received a broader understanding of the world. This trend could stem from a variety of reasons, including a more productive and globally conscious economy, Huber said. I can hang as many flyers I want, but word of mouth is what brings people, and that's why study abroad numbers are rising. To accommodate this second wave of students, OU offers more than 45 different study abroad programs throughout the year in 27 different countries, including Japan, Austria, Wales, Mexico, Spain, France and Kenya. Exchange programs are an agreement between OU and another university to essentially swap students.
Faculty members accompany students on study abroad programs as supervisors.
Quarter-long programs to Spain, Mexico and France are some of the most popular destinations, Huber said. Fifty minutes a day in a class, not really even speaking the language, just doesn't cut it. But language education is not the only benefit to participating students. Huber said education abroad gives students real-life skills and experiences to help them in their careers after college. It's becoming much more important for people in the United States to see the world.