By Rory McNelley, Education and Enrichment Coordinator

LeeAnn Scherbauer, Xavier’s Director of Education Abroad, visited the Student Government Association (SGA) this week to provide an overview of what the Center for International Education (CIE) has in store for the new school year. 

There are three directors in the CIE. All are assigned to specific areas of the process of studying abroad. The CIE organizes AWAY programs, does risk evaluation and program evaluation in addition to supporting students through the application, study and reentry into Xavier process.  

Last year, 390 Xavier students studied abroad with 372 in credit bearing programs. Last year there were 20 faculty-led programs are 59 students went abroad for an entire semester, eight in the fall and 51 in the spring. The top three countries were the United Kingdom, Italy and France. 

Scherbauer announced Xavier is establishing a relationship with a Jesuit university in Peru to have a study abroad center that is uniquely ours. This relationship will be similar to that of Loyola Rome and SLU Madrid. In addition, Xavier will receive international students from their University to study in Cincinnati. 

The number of faculty-led trips are increasing to 28 this year and fall study abroad participants went from eight to 21. The deadlines are getting earlier and earlier for students to apply for these experiences due to the changing climate around student visas in the United States, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France. 

Non-credit bearing programs include international Alternative Break trips, a Center for Faith and Justice student pilgrimage to Rome and programs provided through the Brueggemann Fellowship. Another option for students is an international internship available in 20 different countries. These stem from partnerships with organizations abroad who can guarantee internships for students. 

Xavier’s number of international students is decreasing due to the current political climate. Offices are struggling to secure visas for students to attend Xavier. Faculty in the office of CIE monitor the database to check visas status on a daily basis.

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