Over the past eight years, Harvard’s study abroad program has seen a dramatic expansion: what began with a small group of students who traveled overseas for a full semester has widened into a much larger component of the undergraduate population, most of whom spend a summer in a foreign country.

The number of participants in summer study abroad programs has increased 706 percent over the past eight years at Harvard. Current undergraduates attribute the spike in interest to an increase in opportunities for summer funding and concerns about missing campus life during the school year.

But a small, yet steadily increasing, number of undergraduates are willing to forfeit a semester in Cambridge for what they see as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—and they say the University has taken steps to facilitate what is often seen as an intimidating planning process.

OUTSIDE THE ‘HARVARD BUBBLE’

Although the number of students who choose to study abroad for a full semester has increased 70 percent in the last eight years, Harvard’s study abroad statistics pale in comparison to those of some peer institutions.

In the previous academic year, 180 Harvard students spent a semester abroad. Meanwhile, Brown sent 488 students abroad for a semester—a ten-year low for the school.

Several factors discourage Harvard students from studying in a foreign country, including the fear of missing opportunities on campus, the financing of a trip abroad, and the lack of awareness of available programs.

Students who chose to study abroad say that when they revealed their plans to travel outside the country, their friends bombarded them with concerns about the opportunities and experiences they would miss back on campus.

But Odelia S. Younge ’11 says she ultimately decided such concerns were not enough to deter her from spending a semester studying in Madrid.

“I decided I’m always missing something wherever I am, and so that’s not a reason not to go,” Younge says.

Dana E. Seesel ’11, who spent the fall semester in Barcelona, says she agrees that while students may miss life back in Cambridge, the experience spent abroad is nevertheless worthwhile.

“While you’re over there, you miss the people here, Harvard Square, and your professors,” Seesel says. “But now when you’re back, you miss Barcelona.”

Director of the Office of International Programs Catherine H. Winnie says that in recent years, faculty and administrators have encouraged this view.

“There was an emphasis on the importance of students getting direct experience living abroad and so students were encouraged to go abroad,” Winnie says.

Despite the University’s willingness to have students study abroad, several students say that those who want to travel have to be proactive and self-motivated when devising their plans.