Internationalism is one of Macalester’s core values. Off-campus study — for most, this means study abroad — serves as the college’s primary means of getting our students meaningful international experience.

The context

Off-campus study at Macalester goes back over 60 years. In the last quarter century it has become common, even expected, for the majority of our students. About 60% study abroad before graduation, compared to about 6% of U.S. college students nationwide. Almost all of our 60% study abroad for at least one semester.

But let us both put this in a bigger context and grind the numbers a little finer. If we start with . . .

1000 college-age Americans (i.e. graduated, or should have graduated, from high school)
333 get a four-year degree
20 study abroad for any period of time
8 study abroad for a semester or longer

So what is normal for us — 55% — is rare, exceptional, extraordinary — 0.8% — for US young people in general.

Where we go

In the past ten academic years, over 2300 Macalester students have studied off-campus, in 83 countries. Their choices of location have differed somewhat from national patterns.

By region

By country (top ten)

(Macalester also sent 95 students to off-campus programs in the U.S.; there are no national data available for comparison.)