Study abroad at Western yields higher student success

Contact: Beth Walton Braaksma
January 11, 2025

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University students who study abroad are consistently more likely to graduate on time and continue their academic studies, according to 10 years of data compiled by the school’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education. 

Fifty-six percent of the students who started at WMU in 2020 and participated in a study abroad experience graduated in four years, compared to just 33% of students who did not study abroad, says Joe Milostan, director of study abroad and international faculty enrichment at the Haenicke Institute. 

Similar gains are seen with student retention, Milostan says. For example, 97% of the students who participated in a study abroad experience during their first year on campus in 2023 continued at Western for the 2024-2025 academic year. This is 16% higher than the retention rate for students who did not study abroad. 

"The strong correlation between student success and study abroad participation is seen by anyone who has engaged in study abroad programs,” says Milostan.  

WMU Study Abroad hosts more than 80 programs around the world. Students go on short-term, semester and year-long trips. Over 460 students participated in 2023-2024 academic year.

“Having worked in the education abroad field for over 15 years, one thing I have heard and seen repeatedly from students when they return from overseas is how much more confident and independent they feel after studying abroad," Milostan says. "The development of these skills during a study abroad program has an impact on overall student success.” 

Several study abroad offerings will be on display at the 2025 College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Fair. Join us Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 11:45 a.m. in the 2nd floor Dunbar Hall lobby or Thursday, Jan. 16 at 11:45 a.m. in the Wood Hall atrium to learn more. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. 

A Personal Journey 

Erik Parrott, an aviation flight science major, studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador, in summer 2024.

Erik Parrott, an aviation flight science major, studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador, in summer 2024 after completing his freshman year at Western. Parrott spent two months with the Spanish in Quito, Ecuador program. 

He traveled with Associate Professor of Spanish Dr. Germán Zárate-Sández and 10 of his classmates to the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in the valley of Cumbayá, one of the most cosmopolitan areas of Ecuador's capital. 

He took part in a faculty-directed trip where the professor stayed with the students for the first week before leaving them to navigate the cultural exchange on their own. 

Parrott now works at the WMU Study Abroad office and encourages other students to travel during their undergraduate years. Scholarship funding is available, and trips can be life-changing, he says. 

“Make the decision you would regret the least," advises Parrott. "There is not a lot you would regret about studying abroad.” 

“Don't be afraid to make mistakes," he says. "Don't be afraid to talk to locals. Have fun and try new things.” 

Parrott, a 20-year-old from Ann Arbor, says the trip opened his eyes to his family’s Latin American roots. He is half Colombian and half German American. He grew up in a bilingual household. He is now minoring in Spanish.

“Instead of just speaking Spanish at home with my mom and aunt, I finally had a practical purpose for it in Ecuador,” he recalls. "I spoke to my teachers and friends in Spanish. I played soccer in Spanish. It was good. It felt like I was at home.” 

Parrott says he grew academically, socially, professionally and culturally on the trip. He immersed himself in Spanish language and culture during a stay with a host family and through interactions with the local population. He also continued his coursework. 

The experience heightened his awareness of his own origins, practices and habits, Parrott says. It allowed him to better empathize with other cultures. It built his understanding of global connections and strengthened his belief that humans must work together across borders for a more just and sustainable future. 

Parrott also points to how the trip makes him a more competitive applicant for jobs upon graduation. He possesses stronger cross-cultural communication skills now, as well as an improved ability to navigate unfamiliar environments and effectively adapt to them. 

He says he is now comfortable with the uncomfortable and can see the world from a perspective different than his own.

Academic and Professional Growth 

Multiple large-scale studies have found that students who study abroad, especially those from underrepresented or “at-risk” households, are more likely to complete their degrees than students who do not study abroad, reports the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs (NAFSA), an association of international educators. 

The organization points to research done by CASSIE, the Consortium for Analysis of Student Success through International Education at the University System of Georgia. 

Research also shows that students who study abroad often have a higher GPA than similar students who stayed on campus, even when controlled for external factors, NAFSA reports. 

Dr. Duke Leingpibul, professor of marketing at the Haworth College of Business, has taken students on a 25-day study abroad trip to Thailand every summer since 2009.  

Born and raised in the Southeast Asian country, Leingpibul sees his work in Thailand as part scholar, part host. He has conducted much of his academic research in Asia. He is also taking students to visit his homeland. 

“Students tell me the experience is beyond their imagination,” Leingpibul says. “Some mention that firsthand exposure changes their worldview and makes them more resilient to one-sided information from the internet or media.” 

Also, years later, alumni who are now business executives and industry leaders return and still want to talk about the trip, showing its lasting impact, Leingpibul says. 

“Study abroad experiences offer real-world applications for students," he explains. "When students are taken out of their comfort zones, it activates their survival instincts and improves their ability to think and plan holistically. These skills not only help them during the trip but also carry over into their academic and professional lives.” 

About The Haenicke Institute for Global Education 

The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western Michigan University community. Its offices assist more than 1,170 international students on campus and nearly 1,000 WMU degree-seeking students studying at partner institutions in China and Taiwan. 

The Institute facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff. It also hosts a variety of global learning activities to encourage a more globally engaged southwest Michigan. These initiatives include designing and promoting scholarship and academic opportunities at WMU; providing outreach to area K-12 schools; hosting lectures, panels and events; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world. 

For more information, visit: www.wmich.edu/global