UW-Eau Claire remains among top colleges for study abroad

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s participation in study abroad programs is again ranked among the highest master’s-level colleges in the nation, according to the 2025 Open Doors Report of the Institute of International Education.

According to 2023-24 statistics, 373 Blugold students took part in a study abroad program, placing the university 14th in the country among public and private master’s-level schools. UW-Eau Claire is also ranked nationally among master's-level institutions for participation in semesterlong and short duration study abroad.

Colleen Marchwick, director of the UW-Eau Claire Center for International Education (CIE), is excited to once again to see UW-Eau Claire among the national leaders in study abroad. Marchwick points to the campus focus on student success, as the work of study abroad involves the whole campus — faculty, academic advisors, financial aid, billing, registration and student affairs.

“UW-Eau Claire has a long history of study abroad dating back to the first program to Mexico in 1950,” Marchwick says.

“The university’s commitment to international education is seen in our numbers. We have ranked nationally in study abroad participation since 2002-03. The only year UW-Eau Claire was not ranked was 2020-21 due to COVID-19. International education has been a part of our institutional identity — so much so that we have invested in grants and scholarships for study abroad.”

Marchwick adds that she is grateful for the specific student data generated from Open Doors reporting, as it helps CIE staff evaluate whether this campus is eliminating opportunity gaps for students. The data for 2023-24 marked the first year since COVID that 12% study abroad participation among students of color reached parity with the campus enrollment.

Additionally, 45% of UW-Eau Claire students who study abroad reported some type of ongoing medical concern or disability. Marchwick noted the majority concern was mental health and credits students and staff working together to build support plans so that students achieve their study abroad goals.

Marchwick encourages all students interested in studying abroad to start asking questions early in their student career, as she says it does take planning, but it’s rare that there is not a program to accommodate even the tightest of degree-plan calendars.

“We have study abroad programs of varying durations offered during all academic terms to best accommodate students’ schedules. From academic and financial aid advising to predeparture orientation and visa help, our combined campus goal is to make study abroad accessible to all interested students,” Marchwick says.