Belmont ranks No. 5 for short term programs and No. 9 for total number of studying abroad students
Belmont University’s study abroad program has grown significantly in recent years, and the University’s numbers demonstrate its popularity. In a recent “Open Doors Report,” published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) that ranks U.S. schools by the number of students studying abroad, Belmont ranked No. 5 for short term programs, an increase from last year’s No. 12 ranking. When evaluating the entire University’s programs, Belmont ranked No. 9, an improvement from last year’s No. 18 placement.
The report highlighted the growth of study abroad programs across the country as more than 313,000 U.S. students received credit last year for study abroad, an increase of nearly three percent over the previous year. Approximately a quarter of these students majored in STEM fields. The Open Doors findings reflect that students study abroad in part to gain international experience that can be applied in their careers, and data also show that an increasing number of U.S. students—over 22,000 last year—participated in non-credit work, internships and volunteering abroad where they can gain practical skills.
Belmont’s Director of the Office of Study Abroad said, “We could not be more excited about Belmont’s ranking in the Open Doors report. We work with over 80 committed and enthusiastic faculty who design and carry out our short term programs. This ranking is proof of what collaborations between disciplines can produce and the willingness of our students to take advantage of these opportunities. I am so excited to see Belmont’s abroad program continue to grow and thrive providing the ability for all students to have a life changing experience overseas.”
Marie Holzer, a Belmont student, participated in a trip to Spain last May where she gained a new perspective on life. “In this short amount of time, I gained a completely new perspective of the world,” Holzer said. “I was able to puncture my ‘American bubble’ and truly participate in a new culture while realizing overarching human commonalities we all share. This participation has forever changed me and the path of my life, and I am so grateful to Belmont, Dr. Holt and Dr. McCoy to have experienced something so special.”
IIE’s report is published annually in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Sara’s story begins when her life changed drastically in December 2010. She was happily married to her husband Brian, had two healthy boys, Camden (age 5) and Scott (age 3), and was expecting their third child to be delivered only days before Christmas. On December 6, their wedding anniversary, Sara gave birth to her still-born daughter, Anna Elizabeth. Just four weeks later, multiple suspicious lesions were found on Sara’s liver, and in January 2011, on her 33rd birthday, Sara was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. After 16 rounds of chemotherapy and three clinical research trials, Sara’s earthly struggle with cancer ended in August 2012, at the age of 34.
Belmont nursing students participated in the bi-annual Mid-Night Spa and Health Fair at the Greater Christ Temple Church on Friday, November 11. This event was provided by the church for members and the community to participate in health screenings and education.
Captain Vandergriff, LCSW, recently presented to seniors in Belmont’s Social Work Crisis Intervention class, a required course for all students in the department focused on the prevention and intervention of crisis. One of Fort Campbell’s Brigade Embedded Behavioral Health Officers, Captain Vandergriff presented about a variety of policies and programs for active duty military directed toward decreasing incidence of PTSD, assisting soldiers in managing trauma symptoms and working with soldiers to process potentially traumatic events.