Studyabroad.com Newsletters

After a brief hiatus, we are bringing back our bi-monthly opt-in newsletter designed for our sponsors and advisors. Our newsletters are packed with information on StudyAbroad.com, upcoming events, and marketing tips for your own web site! If you would prefer not to receive future issues of StudyAbroad.com News, you should send a message to sab_newsletter-off@list.edudirectories.com.

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I. Students Concerned More About Running Out of Money than Crime While Studying Abroad - Melissa Biermann
II. Top 20 Searches for 1st Quarter 2004
III. A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Advertisers!
IV. Upcoming Conferences StudyAbroad.com will be Attending
V. StudyAbroad.com Advisor Supplies
VI. StudyAbroad.com Traffic Numbers for this Past Year

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Students Concerned More About Running Out of Money than Crime While Studying Abroad

An online survey conducted recently by StudyAbroad.com discovered that 35.63 percent of students thinking about participating in a study abroad program are most concerned with not having enough money for living expenses while living abroad. The same students claimed that their parents were most concerned with the threat of terrorism and political crimes (30.80%).

StudyAbroad.com, the leading online source of information for study abroad programs, discovered that 25.53 percent of parents that participated in its survey are most worried about terrorism and political crimes occurring in countries where their children are studying, and 19.15 percent are concerned with their student having enough money while abroad.

Several study abroad advisors from around the country say that they receive few calls from concerned parents, but the questions they are asked most often are about credit transfer, overall safety, and financial aid. "Our parents seem most concerned about what their sons and daughters will experience personally," Kathy Walden, Assistant Director for Information Services at Butler University's Institute for Study Abroad says.

The second leading worry for 17.01 percent of students is terrorism and political crimes. The remaining 47.36 percent are uneasy about crime in their neighborhoods (7.58%), housing conditions (6.67%), American stereotyping (6.44%), transportation abroad (4.83%), food and water safety (4.14%), health concerns and communicable diseases (3.91%), economic instability (3.45%), racial, ethnic and religious acceptance (2.75%), and 7.59 percent had other concerns.

Students responding to the survey said that they think their parents are most concerned with the threat of terrorism and political crimes (30.80%), followed by having enough money for living expenses (28.74%). Other fears include crime in their son/daughter's neighborhood (9.20%), health concerns and communicable disease (5.05%), housing conditions and economic instability (both 3.68%), transportation (3.22%), American stereotyping (2.76%), food and water safety (2.30%), and ethnic, racial and religious acceptance (2.07%).

Parents responding to the survey say that terrorism is their biggest fear, followed by not having enough money (19.15%), crime (17.02%), housing conditions (10.64%), American stereotyping and food and water safety (both 8.51%), health concerns and communicable disease (6.38%), and transportation and economic instability (both 2.13%).

Parent responses validate the accuracy of what study abroad advisors have said about parent concerns. "I've noticed a change in parents, that with September 11th occurring, parents understand that these things (terrorist attacks) can occur anywhere in the world," Sarah Turnbull, Program Advisor and Coordinator of Off-Campus Recruitment for Central College Abroad in Pella, Iowa, states.

Michael J. Huettl, father of two college-aged children says that, "No matter where your children are, it is their safety that is your main concern. This will always be a concern, and in some areas of the world it would be a determining factor of whether or not they would go. I do believe that there is as much chance of something bad happening at home as abroad."

Despite their concerns, parents and students are well informed and prepared for study abroad programs through their sponsoring institution. Many programs have on-site directors that are in-tune with the goings on overseas, and advisors give that information to parents and students before and during the study abroad program.

Study abroad advisors stress the importance of the decision of whether or not to go abroad needs to be made as a family. "If the whole family isn't comfortable with sending one family member on a study abroad program, maybe it's not the right time. You can't talk someone into studying abroad, nor should you, if the student/parent has reservations about safety or security. That decision needs to be made by each individual" says Gail Rich, Admissions and Recruiting Coordinator for Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad.

Penny Schouten, a study abroad coordinator at SUNY New Paltz, reiterates Rich's comments. "The decision to study abroad comes down to personal choice. If you fear something happening, you probably shouldn't go. As scary as it might be to go abroad, the experience can shape your whole life for the better." She adds, "I participated in study abroad while I was in school, and I can't imagine not doing it."

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The following are the most frequently searched for countries on StudyAbroad.com for the first quarter of 2004:

1. England
2. France
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. Germany
6. Japan
7. India
8. Australia
9. Egypt
10. Ireland
11. Canada
12. Brazil
13. Sweden
14. Mexico
15. Argentina
16. Cuba
17. The Netherlands
18. Greece
19. Russia
20. Taiwan

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Whether you're new to the StudyAbroad.com family, or you're listing a new program with us, we're glad you're onboard!

Alicante/Granada - Proyecto Espanol
American University of Science and Technology
Art.e School
Chulalongkorn University
EduChina
Estudio Hispanico Spanish Language Schools
EurCenters, Italy
Global Crossroad
Global Learning Semesters, Inc.
International Education Consortium
International Institute for Scientific and Academic Collaboration (IISAC)
International Management Institute
Lenguas Educational Counseling
Liverpool Hope University College
MCI Exchange Card
Mediterranean Studies Association, Inc.
Pacific Challenge
Rollins College Summer Programs
Saint Petersburg State University
San Joaquin de Flores Institute
Sotheby's Institute of Art - London
Sylvan Learning Systems
The English Group
TMP Worldwide
Virginia International University
WorldSmart Leadership Program

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UCEA (April 14 - April 16) San Antonio, TX
NAGS (April 15 - April 17) Baltimore, MD
DETC (April 18 - April 20) Washington, D.C.
AACRAO (April 19 - April 22) Las Vegas, NV
NAGAP (April 28 Ð May 1) Boston, MA
CCIS (April 29 - May 1) Miami Beach, FL

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* Pens
* Maps
* Mouse pads
* Brochures
* Posters
* Plastic fair bags
* Pocket cards
* Brochure holders (limit one)
* Adhesive plastic pockets (limit one)
* StudyAbroad.com handbooks (limit one)

If you are looking to order additional supplies, please contact Melissa Mitchell at 610-499-9200 or email mmitchell@edudirectories.com.

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Here's a look at the number of unique visitors (roughly the number of individual users) per month visiting StudyAbroad.com:

March 2004: 1,462,920
February 2004: 1,359,224
January 2004: 1,400,293
December 2003: 1,092,809
November 2003: 1,680,920
October 2003: 1,499,830
September 2003: 1,588,961
August 2003: 1,529,403
July 2003: 1,052,107
June 2003: 1,170,660
May 2003: 1,136,763
April 2003: 1,388,145

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If you have any news to share with the team at StudyAbroad.com, let us know! We are always looking for industry news to share in our newsletters. If you have articles, press releases, or any other communications you would like us to pass along, please contact Melissa Biermann at mb@edudirectories.com, and she'll do her beset to feature you in an upcoming issue of StudyAbroad.com's bi-monthly newsletter!

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Educational Directories Unlimited, parent company of StudyAbroad.com, produces several newsletters, specifically StudyAbroad.com News, GradSchools.com News, and IIEPassport News, as well as periodic news releases. To subscribe to StudyAbroad news, please email sabnewsletter-on@list.edudirectories.com. If you would like to receive our news releases, please contact Melissa Biermann.

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Educational Directories Unlimited, Inc. (www.edudirectories.com) is a unique college-oriented marketing firm that achieves a dynamic blend of academic purpose and commerce. Among Educational Directories Unlimited's computer-based recruiting tools are several comprehensive directories: GradSchools.com, StudyAbroad.com, EducationforAdults.com, CollegeAbroad.com, Distance.GradSchools.com, Business.GradSchools.com, as well as innovative services such as Student Prospector and Student Prospector Administrator. The Educational Directories Unlimited system design provides a unique utility for prospective students, advisors and educational administrators, bridging the three since its inception in 1995.

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