WASHINGTON – January 24, 2019 – Howard University has sent 59 students to study abroad in 21 countries around the world for the Spring 2019 semester. The increase in the number of students studying abroad rose 73 percent, from 34 students in Fall 2018. The Spring semester is known as a popular time to go abroad, according to Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center Director Tonija Hope Navas, who is proud that students are taking advantage of their global opportunities. During the Fall 2017 to Summer 2018 academic year, the Bunche Center reported that 152 students went abroad, and Navas projects growth for 2019-2020 academic year.

“Our students continue to study in non-traditional places such as Ireland, United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and even India. This Spring, the first set of Howard University students will study abroad in Cali, Colombia through a program we co-developed with CET Academic Programs on ‘Race, Ethnicity, and Identity,’” says Navas, who is in her third year as director. “We also awarded three students with our #StudyAbroadSoBlack Scholarships of $1000, which they can use to support their abroad experience.”

Twenty-six percent of Howard University students studying abroad this Spring are first-generation college students; 45 percent are Pell-Grant eligible, and 81 percent are women. Additionally, 41 percent are honors students, and divided by juniors and sophomores, at 41 percent and 52 percent respectively.

Within the 19 percent of men traveling abroad this Spring, junior media production and fashion design student Octavious Dozier, secured a program in Milan, Italy with Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Abroad Program.

“Since the eighth grade, I have always dreamt of going to Milan, Italy or even Paris, France to study fashion design or media,” says Dozier, a first-generation college student. “I have big plans when I come from abroad and this experience will only give me a step in the door. As a visionary you can’t be boxed in somewhere for too long, you have to go out and explore your options. I want to return and share my experience with others in hopes they will too make that step out of the box.”

Each semester, students who have finished their semester abroad return to share their experiences with their peers through the various programming the Ralph J. Bunche Center hosts. This improves the interest in studying abroad.

“After students come home and share their experiences, we expect many more students to apply for Summer and Fall 2019 programs as well,” says Navas. “We are excited about the opportunities for students to explore the world beyond the classroom and look forward to hearing the ways in which the experience impacts them and their life trajectory.”

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(Above is an infographic of the Spring 2019 study abroad statistics by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center.)

About the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center

Established in 1993, the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center serves as Howard’s point of contact for a range of inquiries from entities outside the university: foreign embassies, governments, universities and corporations, as well as U.S. government agencies. We also integrate global perspectives into the HU experience, promote education abroad, facilitate deeper scholarship on global issues, support cross-cultural dialogue and respect for cultural diversity, and prepare leaders who can find solutions to global problems. We offer a variety of opportunities for students and faculty. To learn more, visit www.global.howard.edu

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu