This is (November 15-19) and as part of the celebration the Institute for International Education (IIE) has released its annual "" report, a summary of study abroad by U.S. college and university students.

And once again Calvin College is one of the top schools in the country for students who study abroad.

In fact, Calvin ranked second in the country among baccalaureate institutions for the number of students studying abroad in the 2002-2003 school year. Calvin had 524 students studying off campus that year, trailing only Minnesota's St. Olaf College which had 641 students abroad.

In addition among master's institutions Grand Valley State University ranked 15th in the country with 359 students abroad.

The IIE notes that in the first full academic year after the 9/11 attacks (academic year 2002-2003), the number of U.S. higher education students receiving credit for study abroad increased sharply - up 8.5% from the previous year to a record total of 174,629 students.

Findings from the report were released at a November 15 press briefing at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with International Education Week.

"This increase," says the IIE, "remains a strong indicator of the tremendous interest in study abroad, both in spite of and in response to the changing geopolitical climate following 9/11. As study abroad opportunities have become more plentiful, varied and more affordable, the number of students taking advantage of an academic experience abroad has increased dramatically."

The IIE notes that since 1991-1992 the number of students studying abroad for credit has more than doubled (from 71,154 to 174,629, an increase of 145%). Open Doors data also shows a continued increase in the diversity of destinations for U.S. study abroad.

That diversity is reflected at Calvin where students can live and study in such countries as Honduras, China, Ghana, Hungary, Spain and more. Calvin also has semester-long U.S. programs in New Mexico and Washington, D.C.

The college believes that broaden a student's perspectives on both the world and the kingdom of God, enhance a student's self-discipline and provide students with "coherent, comprehensive and authentic learning experiences that have an unusually deep and long-lasting effect."