Ongoing Media Coverage of Study Abroad
On December 4, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported new subpoenas in an article entitled "Study-abroad leader Arcadia under probe" by Kathy Boccella.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
About Me
- Name: Forum on Education Abroad
- Location: Carlisle, PA
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Previous Posts
- Conversations with Brian Whalen
- New Coverage of Study Abroad
- Trade Press Covers Survey Results
- Survey Results To Be Released
- New Perspectives
- Invitation to Test New Instrument
- NAFSA Announces Task Force
- Forum President Interviewed for Podcast
- New Website Policies
- Follow-up Coverage
1 Comments:
Dear Colleagues,
I just wanted to elaborate on the question regarding whether colleges and universities "make money" on study abroad, which is what the reporter asked me. My answer was that I thought most institutions do not, which got quoted as "most lose money."
The answer to the question, of course, is a complicated one that requires an understanding of the real cost of educating a student, and how much fees actually cover this cost. Fees at institutions don't, in fact, cover the actual cost of educating a student, nor do many (or most, depending on the institution) students pay the actual fee because they receive financial aid. Endowment interest and gifts make up the difference and help to subsidize the cost of running our institutions, including study abroad programs.
Study abroad itself is a difficult academic program to analyze in terms of cost. Variables such as exchange rates, campus overhead, and enrollment management have to be considered. My point to the reporter is that I believe in most cases institutions do not view study abroad as a "moneymaker." Rather, those that are committed to education abroad view it as a substantial economic commitment, like any other academic program.
The next volume of Frontiers, due out in a few weeks, contains an excellent article that provides an economic analysis of study abroad. Written by Professor Emeritus George Heitmann of Muhlenberg College, it is entitled, "The Opportunity Cost of Study Abroad: An Economics-Based Analysis." Professor Heitmann provides important insights into the institutional economical context of study abroad, and, as part of his analysis, asks the question, "Would it be cheaper to have our students who are now abroad return to the home campus? I recommend the article to you.
Cheers,
Brian Whalen
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