STEM
Students
Abroad:
Understanding their
Motivations and
Experiences
Presented by:
Christina Dinges, Study Away Advisor, Office of Cross-Cultural Programs,
Susquehanna University
Jennifer Ellis Fritz, Associate Director, Office of International Education,
Bucknell University
Erica Haas-Gallo, Study Abroad Advisor, International Academic Programs,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Katie Saur, Assistant Director, Office of Overseas Study, Indiana University

What is STEM?
Science Technology Engineering Mathematics
Over 280 majors
Animal Science, Food Science, Pharmacology, Soil Science, Information
Technology, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry,
Robotics, Solar Technology, Ocean Engineering, Medical Science, Wildlife
Biology, Animal Genetics, Cell Physiology, Industrial Management,
Nanotechnology, Biochemistry, Mining Technology, Computer Hardware,
Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Toxicology, Mathematical Statistics,
Geometry, Astronomy, Analytical Chemistry, Geophysics, Theoretical
Physics, Genome Science, Medical Informatics, Electromechanical
Technology, Undersea Warfare, Data Modeling , Environmental Science,
Artificial Intelligence, Horticulture, Immunology, Hydraulics, Biophysics,
Conservation Biology, Geometry

STEM Abroad Field of Study %
Social Sciences 22.1
Business/Management 20.4
Humanities 10.4
Fine or Applied Arts 7.8
Physical/Life Sciences 8.8
Foreign Languages 4.9
Health Professions 4.1
Education 4.0
Engineering 3.9
Math/Computer Science 1.9
Agriculture 1.3
Undeclared 2.7
Other Fields of Study 5.2
Total 100
STEM total 22.5
IIE Open Doors
Report 2014
students abroad
2012-13

Goals of Survey:
 Look at what types of study abroad experiences STEM
students are going on
 Look at what factors impact a STEM’s student decision
about studying abroad
 Look at who is impacting a STEM’s student to decision to
study abroad
 Look at what skills STEM students are gaining by studying
abroad
STEM Survey

26.3%
Male
73.7%
Female
STEM Survey

STEM Survey

Gender
STEM Survey
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
26.3%
Male
73.7%
Female
Male
26.3% 143
Female
73.7% 400

Race/Ethnicity
Answer Options
STEM Survey
Response
Percent
Response
Count
White 89.0% 483
Multiracial 1.3% 7
Black or African-American 1.5% 8
Hispanic 3.1% 17
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.4% 2
Asian 7.9% 43
Native American 0.6% 3
Other 0.7% 4
answered question 543
skipped question 1

Overall Survey Results
Home University/Institution:
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Susquehanna University 6.3% 34
Bucknell University 16.1% 87
Indiana University 20.5% 111
University of Wisconsin - Madison 57.1% 309
answered question 541

Institutional Profile: Susquehanna
Enrollment
Undergraduate: 2,200
Institutional Type
Private
Residential
Academic Profile
The School of Arts and Sciences
The Sigmund Weis School of Business
Study Abroad Office Structure
Centralized
Annual Student Mobility-Study Away
450-500

Cross Cultural Experience
Requirement
 is off-campus
 2 weeks minimum
 does not have to be for credit
 2013 Andrew Heiskell Award for
Internationalizing the Campus, presented
by the Institute of International Education
(IIE) in recognition of Susquehanna’s Global
Opportunities (GO) program and other
related initiatives.

Survey Summary: Susquehanna University
 Used Department of Homeland Security expanded list of STEM
degrees in to identify majors
 Survey sent to 90 STEM majors participating on an GO program from
Fall 2011 to Summer 2014.

Survey Findings: Susquehanna
What field was/is your college major in?
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Science
88.2% 30
Technology
0.0% 0
Engineering
0.0% 0
Mathematics
11.8% 4

Gender
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
Male Female
Male
Female

100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
White
Black or
African-
American
Native
Hawaiian or
Pacific
Islander
Race/Ethnicity
Native
American

Where are SU STEM student going?
Most Popular
 Australia 22.7%
 Austria 9.1%
 Ecuador 9.1%
 France 9.1%
 Spain 9.1%
Trending
 China 4.5%
 Costa Rica 4.5%
 Denmark 4.5%
 Ireland 4.5%
 Japan 4.5%
 New Zealand 4.5%
 South Africa 4.5%
 United Kingdom 4.5%
 United States Minor Outlying Islands 4.5%

What type of study abroad program are SU
STEM choosing?
Answer Options 1st experience
Field Study program 4
Integrated University Study 8
Overseas Branch Campus 0
Study Abroad Center 1
Travel Seminar 8

14. Was/were your program(s) credit bearing or non-credit bearing?
Type of programs that SU students pursue:
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1st experience 2nd experience 3rd experience 4th experience
I received credit for my major
during this abroad program
I received credit for my
minor/certificate during this
abroad program
I received elective credit during
this abroad program
I did not receive credit during this
abroad program

Who or what resources were most influential when selecting your
program? Please rank the top 3, with 1 being the most influential.
Other
Study Abroad Fair
Info session
Open House
Presentation
Web site
Major advising sheets
Academic advisor
Faculty (Professor, Teaching Assistant,…
0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00
Peer Advisor/Counselor
Returned Student
Friends
Study Abroad Advisor

What factors did you consider when choosing your program?
Please rank the top 5, with 1 being the most important factor.
Other
A certain type of housing (what…
Friends going on same program
Ability to travel to other…
Service or Volunteer opportunities
Research, Internship opportunities
Cultural immersion (chances to get…
Improve language ability
Coursework in English
Location
Scholarship availability
Classes that count toward minor…
Classes that count toward major…
0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 14.00
Cost

Support received from my home university for
education abroad from the following resources
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Academic department: academic advisor or faculty support
78.9% 15
Study Abroad Office: STEM Education Abroad Study Abroad
Advisor or study abroad advisor
52.6% 10
Handouts/flyers: STEM major specific education abroad
advising sheets
15.8% 3
Department website 21.1% 4
Study Abroad Office website 26.3% 5
STEM Education Abroad student resources: such as fairs,
15.8% 3
workshops, and/or information sessions
Other (please specify) 0.0% 0

Skills gained abroad that can be applied toward
current or future careers or academic pursuits:
Answer Options Response Percent Response Count
Communication Skills 63.6% 14
Ability to speak a foreign language 31.8% 7
Knowledge about another culture 95.5% 21
Awareness of political, economic or social
72.7% 16
events around the world
Flexibility/Adaptability 72.7% 16
Tolerance/Open-mindedness 86.4% 19
Problem-solving 36.4% 8
Independence/Self-reliance and awareness 68.2% 15
Time management 50.0% 11
Internship or Research experiences 4.5% 1
Ability to network with diverse groups or
40.9% 9
individuals
A better understanding of myself and future
goals
50.0% 11
Self-confidence 77.3% 17
Taking Initiative 50.0% 11
Other/Comments: 1

Overall SU Findings
 While the survey showed that faculty involvement is a key to encourage STEM
students to participate in study abroad, results show that clear information and
access to that information proved to be a useful alternative.
 Study abroad advisors play a key part in encouraging STEM students to go abroad,
especially for a semester.
 STEM students when advised correctly can study abroad anywhere, taking general
educational credits or language studies

Institutional Profile: Bucknell University
Enrollment
Total student population: 3,600
Undergraduate: 3,500
Postgraduate: 100
Institutional Type
Private/Residential
Academic Profile
College of Arts & Sciences
College of Engineering
School of Management
Study Abroad Office Structure
Centralized
Annual Student Mobility-Study Abroad
474
*Upon graduation approximately 50% of Bucknell students study
abroad.

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
 Survey sent to 249 students
 87 students replied
 Time span: 2012-2014
Response
Percent
Response
Count
43.4% 36
3.6% 3
43.4% 36
9.6% 8
What field was/is your college major in?
Answer Options
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
Specific 1st Major Replies from:
 Computer Science & Engineering (5)
 Electrical Engineering (2)
 Environmental Studies (2)
 Neuroscience (2)
 Biomedical engineering (1)
 Geology (1)
 Civil & Environmental Engineering (17)
 Biology (15)
 Animal Behavior (13)
 Mechanical Engineering (8)
 Chemical Engineering (7)
 Mathematics (7)

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
 Gender
 Race/Ethnicity
 1st Gen
27.6%
72.4%
Male
Female
White White 86.2%
Multiracial Multiracial 1.1%
Black or Black or African-American 3.4%
Asian Asian 8.0%
Other Other-Middle Eastern 1.1%
8.1%
91.9%
Yes-first generation college student
No

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
When does study abroad fit well into the student degree?

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
Where did the BU STEM students study abroad?
Australia 9
United Kingdom 7
Ireland 7
Spain 7
New Zealand 6
Denmark 4
France 5
Italy 3
Tanzania 3
United States 1
Argentina 1
Barbados 1
China 1
Dominican Republic 1
Ecuador 1
Nicaragua 1
South Africa 1

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
What type of study abroad program are BU STEM
choosing?
Answer Options #’s
Field Study program 19
Integrated University Study 36
Overseas Branch Campus 3
Study Abroad Center 15
Travel Seminar 3

Survey Findings: Bucknell University

Survey Findings: Bucknell University

Survey Findings: Bucknell University

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
I received support from my home university for education abroad from the following
resources (please check all that apply):
Response
Percent
79.3%
77.6%
8.6%
17.2%
34.5%
6.9%
3.4%
Answer Options
Academic department: academic advisor or faculty support
Study Abroad Office: STEM Education Abroad Study Abroad Advisor or study abroad advisor
Handouts/flyers: STEM major specific education abroad advising sheets
Department website
Study Abroad Office website
STEM Education Abroad student resources: such as fairs, workshops, and/or information sessions
Other (please specify)

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
Participation in an education abroad program contributed to (please check all that
apply):
Response
Percent
63.4%
43.9%
9.8%
63.4%
48.8%
43.9%
63.4%
22.0%
51.2%
58.5%
0.0%
Answer Options
College major
Field of employment
Work sector (e.g. non-profit, private, or public)
Ability to formulate my career goals and clarify my personal aspirations
Developing skills and intercultural competencies that contributed to obtaining
The importance I place on working in a field that I find interesting
The importance I place on having personal fulfillment from my work
Ability to speak a foreign language in the workplace
Developing my ability to understand an organization's culture
Ability to adapt in diverse workplace environments
Other (please specify)

Survey Findings: Bucknell University
Overall BU Findings
 Students feel supported by academic departments and study
abroad office jointly
 Students see value in study abroad towards their careers and
connect them to global skills
 Academic Departments and Advisors have shown interest in
developing a deeper relationship to the study abroad office
for in part the end result of supporting STEM students in
education abroad

Institutional Profile
University of Wisconsin at Madison
Enrollment of UW Madison
Total student population: 43,275
Undergraduate: 29,504
Graduate: 9,430
Profession: 2,526
Special: 1,815
Institutional Type
Public, Residential
Academic Profile
13 Schools and Colleges
Relevant to STEM majors: College of Agriculture and Life
Sciences; College of Engineering; College of Letters and
Science; School of Medicine and Public Health, School of
Pharmacy; School of Veterinary Medicine; School of Nursing
Study Abroad Office Structure
Multiple study abroad offices within various schools and
colleges. International Academic Programs serves the
largest student population, primarily Letters and Science
students. Programs offered through IAP are reviewed and
approved by a Faculty Advisory Committee
Annual Student Mobility-Study Abroad
2013-14: 1475 students abroad through IAP
2012-13: 1350 students abroad through IAP; 1718 UW-Madison
total

UW-Madison
Department of Homeland Security expanded list of STEM
degrees in to identify majors
Survey sent to 1,297 STEM majors
participating on an IAP program
from Fall 2011 to Summer 2014
24% response rate
Survey Summary

UW-Madison
Gender
• 68% sent survey are
female
• 76% responders are
female
• 71% all majors through
IAP are female
Survey Findings
Male
24%
Female
76%

UW-Madison
Race/Ethnicity
Does this reflect
STEM make-up
on campus?
Survey Findings
Green: survey response
Grey: all IAP program participants 2013-14
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
White
Multiracial
Black or
African-
American
Hispanic
Asian
Native
American/
Hawaiian
Other
Race/Ethnicity:

UW-Madison
Highest Participation
STEM majors:
• Biology
• Psychology
• Economics
• Environmental Studies
• Zoology
• Biochemistry
• Math
Survey Findings
Major Field
Science
Technology
Engineering
Mathematics

UW-Madison
Types of Programs
UW First Year Interest Groups
Ceiba Field Programs
School for Field Studies
DIS: Denmark
University of Leeds
University of Iceland
National University of Singapore
Survey Findings
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Field Study
program
Integrated
University Study
Overseas Branch
Campus
Study Abroad
Center
Students
Travel Seminar

UW-Madison
Where they are going
Spain
Italy
United Kingdom
Australia
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Ireland
Survey Findings
Location
Ireland
Ecuador
Costa Rica
Australia
United Kingdom
Italy
Spain
other

UW-Madison
Survey Findings
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Term abroad
Students
When do they go abroad?
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Status Abroad
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

UW-Madison
Credit
All classes on UW-Madison
programs receive UW
in-residence credit
Included in GPA
Survey Findings
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Type of credit abroad
1st experience 2nd experience 3rd experience
I did not receive credit during
this abroad program
I received elective credit
during this abroad program
I received credit for my
minor/certificate during this
abroad program
I received credit for my major
during this abroad program

UW-Madison
Most Influential
Factors
Website
Friends
SA Advisor
Returned Students
Survey Findings
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Most Influential Factors

UW-Madison
Skills Gained
•Knowledge about another
culture
•Independence/Self-reliance
•Tolerance/Open-mindedness
•Flexibility
•Awareness of political,
economic or social events
around the world
•Self-confidence
Survey Findings
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Skills Gained to Apply to Future Career or
Academics

UW-Madison
•My ability to adapt in diverse
workplace environments
•My ability to formulate my
career goals and clarify my
personal aspirations
•My college major
•The importance I place on
having personal fulfillment
from my work
Survey Findings
Study Abroad Contributed to:
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Participation Contributed to My:

Institutional Profile: Indiana University
Enrollment of IU-Bloomington
Total student population: 46,817
Undergraduate: 36,862
Graduate: 9955
Institutional Type
Public
Residential
Academic Profile
15 Schools and Colleges
Relevant to STIM majors: College of Arts and
Sciences; School of Informatics and
Computing; School of Nursing; School of
Public Health
Study Abroad Office Structure
Centralized program approval process for IU
system, but multiple study abroad
offices/coordinators within various schools
and colleges and on IU regional campuses.
Annual Student Mobility-Study Abroad
2286, IUB campus, 2900 system wide

Survey Findings:
Indiana University
Used Department of Homeland
Security expanded list of STEM
degrees in to identify majors
Survey sent to 330 STEM majors
participating on an OVST
program from Fall 2011 to
Summer 2014
30% response rate

Survey Findings: Gender
Gender:
 Male: 31.2 % of
respondents
 Female: 68.8% of
respondents
Overall participation rates:
39% male, 61% female
Male
Female

Survey Findings: Race/Ethnicity
Race:
 White: 87.2%
 Asian: 11%
 Hispanic: 2.8%
 African American: 1.8%
 Multiracial: .9%
 Native American, Hawaiian
or Pacific Islander: .9%
White
Multiracial
Black or African-
American
Hispanic
Native Hawaiian or
Pacific Islander
Asian
Native American

Survey Findings: Indiana University
FIELD/MAJORS
Highest Participation STEM
majors:
86.5% of respondents were
from science majors
10.6% were from Tech fields
IUB does not offer
Engineering as a major
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

Survey Findings:
Indiana University
Type of Program:
1. Study Abroad Center
2. Integrated University Study
3. Field Study Program
Popular Programs for STEM
students:
• Tropical Biology programs to
Costa Rica and Grand Cayman
(faculty-led)
• Direct enrollment options in
Australia and England
• Wide variety of other programs
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Field Study Integrated
University
Study
Overseas
Branch
Campus
Study
Abroad
Center
Travel
Seminar

Survey Findings:
Indiana University
When are STEM students
going abroad?
 Majority of
60
50
40
respondents (57 out of
30
86 for this question)
20
are going abroad
10
during their Junior year 0
Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

Survey Findings:
Indiana University
Where are IU students going
abroad?
 Australia
 Spain
 Grand Cayman Islands (faculty-led)
 Italy
 Austria
Academic Credit
 83 % of respondents earned
credit towards a major or minor
 43% earned elective credit
 5% participated on non-credit
bearing experiences

Most Influential Resources and Factors
Top Resources:
Web site
 Friends/Returned
Students
Study Abroad Advisor
Faculty/Academic
Advisors
Most Important Factors
when choosing a program:
Location
 Classes that count
towards major/minor
Cost
Cultural Immersion

Outcomes
Top Skills gained:
Knowledge about
another culture
Independence/Self-
Reliance and awareness
Awareness of Political,
Social and Economic
events
100.0%
90.0%
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%

Outcomes
 Participation in a study abroad
program contributed to:
 College Major
 Ability to Formulate Career
Goals and clarify my personal
aspirations
 Ability to adapt in diverse
workplaces
80.0%
70.0%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%

Academic Advisor Perspectives on STEM
students studying abroad
Faculty Led Programs: Focus Australia and GalápaGOs
Consistent information sessions for faculty and students
GO Long semester programs which feature research and
internships: Cyprus (Pre-Med Program) and Bioko Island
(Drexel)
Coming soon: Dual degrees, expansion of abroad and domestic
partnerships

Academic Advisor Perspectives on STEM
Students Studying Abroad
 BU Engineering Committee on International Education
-engineering departments host own study abroad sessions
 Study Abroad Major Advising Pages (MAPs)
 BU Academic Departmental Liaisons Program for EA
 FYIS: STEM & EA
-connecting to larger university structure

UW-Madison
Academic Notes
Academic Advisor Perspectives on STEM
students studying abroad
• Pre-Health, Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Zoology, Genetics &
Environmental Studies supportive of semester programs
• Physical Sciences are more likely to support summer or short-term
• Majors that are accredited by outside organizations are supportive,
but often direct students to summer or elective programs
• Major advisors more open to exploring courses abroad for major than
college advisors
• Engineering school has own programs, but directs to IAP for other
Engineering and elective programs
• Faculty and advisor interest in research abroad opportunities

Other Joint
 Study Abroad Fair pre-session for
STEM students
 YouTube channel featuring STEM
students or faculty who went
abroad
 Department website highlighting
study abroad
 Bulletin boards in advising office
featuring Biology students
 Arranging Study Abroad visits to
Bio courses
 Introduce departments to STEM
program providers when visiting
campus
Joint Activities
UW-Madison

Academic Advisor
Perspectives on STEM
students studying abroad
According to STIM advisors, curricular issues tend to be the
most challenging:
• In some cases, summer programs are easier for STIM
students to fit into their curriculum.
• Some degree programs have more flexibility in
completing coursework abroad (example: Biology has
300/400 level lecture/lab requirements whereas
Chemistry has more sequenced semesters)
• STIM students often looking for experiential components
(research opportunities overseas)

Other Joint
 Information Sessions for STEM students
on study abroad options
 Information Sessions for Informatics and
Computer Science students
 Major Fliers: Sciences, but also broken
down by individual major
 Department websites highlighting study
abroad
 Liaison role with academic advisors in
STEM fields
 Introduce departments to overseas
partners when visiting campus
Joint Activities
Indiana University

Research/Resources for STEM & EA
IIE: Promoting Study Abroad in Science and Technology Fields: White Paper #5 in IIE's Policy Research Series
on Meeting America's Global Education Challenge
http://www.iie.org/en/Research-and-Publications/Publications-and-Reports/IIE-Bookstore/Promoting-Study-Abroad-in-Science-and-
Technology-Fields
NAFSA Underrepresentation in Education Abroad Subcommittee
http://www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/Supporting_Study_Abroad/Network_Resources/Education_Abroad/Underrepresentation_in_Education_Abroad_Subcommittee
/
NAFSA Resources for Supporting Diversity in Education Abroad: (Under Represented Majors)
http://www.nafsa.org/Find_Resources/Supporting_Study_Abroad/Resources_for_Supporting_Diversity_in_Education_Abroad/
Diversity in Education Abroad Task Forces
http://www.diversitynetwork.org/uncategorized/dan-task-forces

Resources Developed to support EA and STEM
NAFSA Connecting Our World Grassroots Leadership Program: Increasing Study
Abroad Participation for STEM Students at Bucknell University
http://www.connectingourworld.org/files/Grassroots_Leadership_J_Fritz.pdf
http://www.connectingourworld.org/get-involved/grassroots-leadership-program/grassroots-leadership-program-reports/
• Creates action plan to address STEM EA Underrepresentation
NAFSA Region VIII: Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM)
Education Abroad (EA) Mini Conference
http://www.nafsa.org/Connect_and_Network/Engage_with_a_Community/NAFSA_Regions/Region_VIII/Conference/STEM_Mini_Conference/
• Conference created to support education abroad professionals seeking to advocate for STEM students in
Education Abroad

Discussion/Questions
Please take a few minutes to share some best practices or
innovative STEM related programs from your own
campuses with those around you.

Our contact information
• Christina Dinges, Study Away Advisor
Office of Cross-Cultural Programs
Susquehanna University
dinges@susqu.edu
570-372-4692
• Jennifer Ellis Fritz, Associate Director
Office of International Education
Bucknell University
jef025@bucknell.edu
570-577-3743
• Erica Haas-Gallo, Study Abroad Advisor
International Academic Programs
University of Wisconsin-Madison
haasgallo@studyabroad.wisc.edu
608-261-1020
• Katie Saur, Assistant Director
Office of Overseas Study
Indiana University
kbsaur@iu.edu
812-855-7588