2008 Woodie Awards
From Australia to Argentina: Colgate Study Abroad Celebrates 70 Years
Jeff Sheng
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Arts & Features
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Recent surveys conducted by the Institute of International Education show that more American students are spending semesters overseas. In 2003, there was a 4.4 percent increase in the number of students studying abroad. However, here at Colgate, studying abroad is more than just part of a statistical percentage. Boasting one of the best off campus study programs for undergraduate institutions, Colgate offers 25 opportunities across the disciplines, including both domestic and international programs. As study abroad gains popularity, Colgate is considered a trendsetter and continues to maintain a distinctive and unique program that began 70 years ago.
Considered the oldest college study group in the nation's capital, Colgate sent its first batch of political science students to Washington D.C. in 1935. This isn't the only precedent that Colgate enjoys. In fact, Colgate is the sole undergraduate college in America that situates interested students for a whole semester in the laboratories of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The first study group abroad was sent to Argentina in 1954 and sponsored by the Romance Languages department. Riding on the success and excitement of the Argentina group, the 1960s witnessed explosions in the number of new offcampus opportunities. A number of Colgate's "mainstay" abroad programs were instituted around this period, such as the London economics and history groups. This revolution in Colgate's study abroad programs sent students all over the world to destinations as far and exotic as Nigeria. Also implemented were extended studies to Israel and Rome in 1998.
Extended studies were inspired by the University's realization that study groups didn't accompany the needs of all the students or departments. Smaller departments couldn't sustain a long-term program and monetary issues were also a consideration. Although extended studies are a fairly recent addition, they aren't without precedent. In the past, Colgate offered students the choice of a January term or "short term" program where students took one course for one month. Slowly, the short term has evolved into an extended study program where courses begin in the semester and finish somewhere else.
Considered the oldest college study group in the nation's capital, Colgate sent its first batch of political science students to Washington D.C. in 1935. This isn't the only precedent that Colgate enjoys. In fact, Colgate is the sole undergraduate college in America that situates interested students for a whole semester in the laboratories of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The first study group abroad was sent to Argentina in 1954 and sponsored by the Romance Languages department. Riding on the success and excitement of the Argentina group, the 1960s witnessed explosions in the number of new offcampus opportunities. A number of Colgate's "mainstay" abroad programs were instituted around this period, such as the London economics and history groups. This revolution in Colgate's study abroad programs sent students all over the world to destinations as far and exotic as Nigeria. Also implemented were extended studies to Israel and Rome in 1998.
Extended studies were inspired by the University's realization that study groups didn't accompany the needs of all the students or departments. Smaller departments couldn't sustain a long-term program and monetary issues were also a consideration. Although extended studies are a fairly recent addition, they aren't without precedent. In the past, Colgate offered students the choice of a January term or "short term" program where students took one course for one month. Slowly, the short term has evolved into an extended study program where courses begin in the semester and finish somewhere else.