DU Top-10 Once Again for Study Abroad

Photo by Sydney Kapp

For the 15th consecutive year, the annual Open Doors report recognized the University of Denver as an elite doctoral-granting institution for international and study abroad education. With its No. 8 ranking, DU has notched a spot in the top-10 every year since 2005 — a testament to DU’s commitment to building an education that builds the world.

More than 75% of all DU students study abroad during their college careers, exemplifying the University’s commitment to an accessible, hands-on international education experience. Through their experience, students gain situational and intercultural learning, 21st century skills for career readiness, and the situational and intercultural learning necessary for doing public good.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered traditional study abroad opportunities, an increasing number of DU students are engaging internationally through virtual global opportunities, such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)-based courses. Students have had the opportunity to interact with classmates at partner institutions abroad, taking on projects, class discussions and group work.

Several DU faculty members from a variety of disciplines are leading COIL courses, utilizing the University’s partnership with Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile and strategic partnership with the University of Western Australia (UWA), with which some DU students will be participating in a virtually intensive research project with UWA faculty and students.

“At their core, COIL enhanced courses really provide students with an opportunity to build cross-cultural relationships with peers across the globe," says Casey Dinger, executive director of internationalization. "Being able to connect, discuss and learn collaboratively through sustained interaction encourages multiple perspectives and new understandings about course topics and themes.”

A recent partnership between the Daniels College of Business and the Indian Institute of Management Indore exemplifies DU’s commitment to redefining international education and rethinking global engagement. The two institutions will team up to conduct combined research projects, collaborative lectures and exchange students and academic and administrative staff.

“As bad as the pandemic is, these times should embolden us to take it as a challenge that can be navigated,” says Uttiyo Raychaudhuri, vice provost for internationalization. “Innovation will come out of this disruption. With reimagined opportunities, a focus on access, and new partnership networks, we will emerge out of this better and stronger. DU’s emerging focus on global learning and curricular integration will lead us forward.”