A Leader in Study Abroad...
Top National Rank by U.S. News
“With more than 100 programs around the world—and faculty commitment to bringing global perspectives into all facets of the curriculum, Arcadia turns the world into a classroom for all our students.” —Arcadia President Jerry Greiner
Arcadia University Ranked #1 in Nation in Open Doors Study Abroad Rate
Arcadia University ranks #1 in the nation for the percentage of undergraduate students studying abroad in the 2009 Open Doors report, the authoritative annual census conducted by the Institute of International Education (www.iie.org). Arcadia has the highest percentage of undergraduate study abroad participation among all U.S. colleges and universities for the academic year 2006-07.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders,” says Arcadia University President Jerry Greiner. “And tomorrow, every leader will need a global perspective. Study abroad is no longer perceived as just for the privileged. It’s part of a complete education that includes multicultural interaction.”
100 Programs Around the World
Arcadia's The College of Global Studies offers more than 100 programs around the world for Arcadia students—and also serves more than 3,000 students a year from 300 other colleges and universities.
National Recognition for Remarkable Internationalization
The prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization recognizes Arcadia's creation of an integrative learning environment infused with international and multicultural experiences. Named for the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, the NAFSA: Association of International Educators award recognizes remarkable internationalization efforts. The senator believed strongly in the need for America's future leaders to know and understand the broader world.
Top Study Abroad Program Ranking
Arcadia earned acclaim from U.S. News & World Report as one of the top Programs to Look For in the Study Abroad category. Its College of Global Studies serves not just Arcadia students, but also more than 3,000 students from more than 300 American colleges and universities. With more than 75 programs around the world, it's one of the largest campus-based international study programs in the United States. In-country Center staff provide orientation and ongoing support while students study abroad.
Internationalization Laboratory
Arcadia is one of the founding members of the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Internationalization Collaborative. As a member of the Collaborative, Arcadia was among a select group of institutions selected to be part of ACE’s Internationalization Laboratory. With input from students, faculty, and staff, this work will result in enhancing Arcadia’s global efforts across the campus.
A Leader in Bringing the World to the Classroom
Arcadia also is one of a handful of colleges chosen to take part in a national initiative of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Being chosen to participate in Shared Futures is recognition of Arcadia’s curricular development and an opportunity to share the University's expertise. The “Global Connections” emphasis of Arcadia’s innovative new general education curriculum is one result of the university’s participation in this program.
A Pioneer in Innovative Study Abroad Programs
Recognized by the American Council on Education for promising practices in comprehensive internationalization in 2001, Arcadia is now a member of ACE's Internationalization Laboratory. In 2001, ACE recognized Arcadia's The College of Global Studies and the London Preview Experience as best practices. Newer efforts considered innovative and unique are the First Year Study Abroad Experience (FYSAE) and the Majors Abroad Program (MAP).
Preparing Students for a Global Society
Arcadia's commitment to set the University apart as a distinctive world leader in preparing students to live and work in a rapidly changing global society is exemplified in the following:
Freshman Interest in Study Abroad Doubles
Interest in Arcadia's First Year Study Abroad Experience (FYSAE) grew in 2007-08 with the addition of a new site in Ireland.
87% Percent Use Passport in First Year
 About 87 percent of Arcadia's students use their passports during their first year of college. The University pioneered a number of spring break "preview" programs that introduce freshmen and transfer students to international education. Each March, hundreds of freshmen travel to London, Scotland and Spain, and about 80 transfer students study in Italy. Read more.
One Half Spend Semester or More Abroad
 Through Arcadia's The College of Global Studies, students in every major have the opportunity to spend a semester overseas in programs in more than 13 countries and more than half of the undergraduates do so, with that number on the rise this decade. The University's Pathways to Study Abroad Web site details study abroad options for each major.
Internships, Field Work, Service Projects Available Around the World
 In addition to traditional study abroad, many programs incorporate international experiences directly into their curriculum. Graduate programs such as International Peace and Conflict Resolution and the M.B.A with an International Perspective challenge students to view problem-solving with a global perspective through hands-on, in-country learning. Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant students get clinical experience and do community services projects in countries around the world.
Class Trips Venture Overseas for Field Work
 Specially designed undergraduate courses incorporate brief international experiences (one to two weeks). These courses, for example, have taken psychology students to Austria, art students to London, political science students to Russia, French language students to Paris, and ecology and conservation classes to Costa Rica. In January, business students ventured to the Caribbean Island of Dominica to study how this developing nation's ecology drives its economy.
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Special International Programs and Campuses
Arcadia also runs special programs and campuses in several countries. Special sites include
