Some American college students spend a year studying at a college or university in a foreign country. Is it a good use of time and money?

In today’s Martin Center article, Harrington Shaw argues that it can be and schools (he’s writing about the UNC system, but his observations would certainly apply nationwide) ought to make it easier for students to choose to study abroad.

He writes: “Well-executed study-abroad programs are crucial to the future success of our state colleges and universities. All constituent UNC-System schools should resume full operation of their respective programs and facilitate greater cross-institutional student participation. By expanding opportunities, cutting costs, and ensuring student progress toward both degrees and careers in all study-abroad programs, the UNC System can strengthen its graduate pool, bolster enrollment, and positively impact student engagement on campus and in the economy at large.”