A surge in interest in global experiences is driving record numbers of Tulane University students to study abroad, a trend that reflects a broader national rebound in international education following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2023-2024 academic year, Tulane ranked eighth in the nation for study abroad participation, with over 30% of undergraduates choosing to pursue academic credit in another country, according to the university.
The university began its study abroad program in the 1950s, and in 2024 offered 172 programs in 51 countries—more than double the number available five years prior. Approximately one-third of Tulane students now participate in study abroad programs, a figure that continues to climb, according to Annie Gibson, director of study abroad at the Center for Global Education at Tulane University.
A Post-Pandemic Rebound and Shifting Destinations
The pandemic brought international travel to a standstill in 2020, with study abroad participation nationwide plummeting to less than one-tenth of pre-pandemic levels. Tulane, like institutions across the country, was forced to recall students and pause its programs. “Tulane had to call all students home during that spring of COVID… and study abroad was on pause in 2020 and most of 2021,” Gibson said. However, the desire for international experience proved resilient. In 2023, nearly 300,000 American students studied abroad, nearing pre-pandemic numbers.
The rebound at Tulane has been particularly strong. “But numbers have really rebounded since COVID-19. We are seeing record numbers of students at Tulane choosing to study abroad,” Gibson confirmed. However, the pandemic similarly subtly altered student preferences. With limited opportunities to hear firsthand accounts from recent returnees, students gravitated toward more familiar destinations. “We lost some of the… word of mouth [for] programs that are off of the beaten track,” Gibson explained. “Some of these lesser-known destinations had very positive reviews… [but] because we essentially had two years where students weren’t studying abroad… the trend was that students started to go to places that sounded familiar [instead].”
Europe Remains Popular, But Challenges Emerge
Currently, Europe remains the most popular continent for Tulane students, with 64% of undergraduates choosing to study there in the 2023-2024 academic year. Denmark and the United Kingdom were the top-ranked countries from 2018 to 2021, while Spain, Italy, and Brazil rounded out the top five in the most recent academic year. Students are also focusing on learning Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese while abroad. The Danish Institute for Study Abroad in Copenhagen is currently Tulane’s most popular program by attendance, according to the Center for Global Education.
The concentration of students in a few key cities, like Madrid and Barcelona, presents logistical challenges for universities. “The number of students that are choosing to study abroad in [large] cities like Madrid and Barcelona actually creates a challenge for… universities receiving so many students,” Gibson said. “We want students to have [an] integrated experience, and when we are sending such large numbers, it can be a challenge to manage in the local context.”
Preparing Students for a Globalized Future
The enduring appeal of study abroad isn’t simply about travel; it’s about equipping students with skills increasingly valued in a rapidly changing world. Traditionally popular majors like public health, communications, and political science consistently send a significant number of students abroad. More recently, psychology and neuroscience have also joined the top five. “The largest number of majors abroad are… the majors on campus that have the largest numbers of students. So communications, political science, business,” Gibson said. “Even majors… that don’t necessarily come to mind.”
Gibson believes that the emphasis on intercultural skills is particularly relevant in the age of artificial intelligence. “I reckon the student body today… wants to be critically aware of the world,” she said. “More and more, these interpersonal, intercultural skills are the things that will matter in the job search, as more and more things can be accomplished with AI.”
Tulane’s Center for Global Education will continue to monitor participation trends and adapt its offerings to meet student demand and ensure meaningful international experiences. The university’s next data release on study abroad participation is expected in the fall of 2024.
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