JMU's Study Abroad Programs Rank Well in National 'Open Doors' Report

James Madison University's emphasis on the importance of international education has resulted in three rankings in the annual "Open Doors" report. JMU ranked second in the country for masters-level institutions for mid-length programs, third for short-term programs and 16th for long-term programs. 

The Institute of International Education compiled the report, which measured study abroad in 2007-08. For reporting purposes, mid-length programs are semester-long international education programs, while long-term programs are a year of study abroad. 

JMU is ranked in the long-term programs category for the first time. Dr. Lee G. Sternberger, executive director of the Office of International Programs and associate provost for academic affairs at JMU, attributes the new recognition to JMU's European Union Policy Studies program. The EUPS is a concentration option in the master of political science curriculum. Based in Florence, Italy, the program began in fall 2007. 

In the 2007-08 academic year, including summer 2008, a total of 427 students participated in mid-length duration study abroad, while 557 students participated in short-term duration programs. Twenty-six students participated in long-term duration programs. 

JMU offers semester abroad programs in the fall, spring and summer to Antwerp, Belgium; Florence, Italy; Salamanca, Spain; and London. The university's study abroad program began in 1979 with the London Semester. Participants in that program celebrated the 30th anniversary of Semester in London with a reunion weekend in November. 

The university sponsors a Chinese business studies minor in Chengdu, China, an 11-week summer semester program, and shorter duration summer programs in Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Malta, Nicaragua, Philippines, Rome and Scotland. JMU also helps students coordinate participation in non-JMU programs. 

For more information about JMU's international programs, check https://www.jmu.edu/international. The "Open Doors" report is available at http://www.opendoors.iienetwork.org/.