The Art of Studying Abroad: Leveraging an International Experience Requirement to Enhance Student Learning and Equity

Although the number of international experience requirements (IER) for college students is growing, there is limited research on their impact. The authors present a four-year study of the impact on an IER at the University of Michigan's Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, comparing outcomes for required and non-required cohorts. Evaluation of this program entailed mixed methodology, including surveys, focus groups, and analysis of student reflections. Results suggest that the IER allowed the School to develop an infrastructure that prompted a greater diversity of students to study abroad, encouraged students to choose more culturally dissimilar destinations, and produced a measurable impact on students'reflection and global perspective taking.