An International Tradition

Indicators of Excellence

Student Abroad programs have been part of the Notre Dame curriculum since 1964, when 49 students embarked for a year in Notre Dame's program at Innsbruck, Austria. Programs in France and Japan soon followed. Among other highlights:

• In August 2005, Notre Dame was recognized as a top school in US News and World Report for “outstanding” study abroad programs. 

• In November 2004, Notre Dame was honored by NAFSA: Association of International Educators in the  "Internationalizing the Campus" campaign.  Notre Dame was selected for this honor especially for making available study abroad across the curriculum, and for our commitment to service and internships abroad.  Click HERE for more information about this award.

• Notre Dame's London Law School program, established in 1968, remains the only branch of an American law school abroad.
  
  
• The London program now includes programs in Engineering, established in 1996, and Business, established in 2000.
  
  
• In 1969, the School of Architecture established its year of study in Rome. It is the only U.S. architecture program requiring a year of international study.
  
  
• In 2001 Notre Dame was ranked first in the national survey of the Institute of International Education because of our high rate of undergraduate participation: 39.2%.
  
  
• Summer programs have allowed numerous students to study abroad whose academic majors otherwise would preclude involvement. More than 300 engineers have participated in Summer Engineering since 1988; the Arts and Letters program is popular among those who would not otherwise be able to study off-campus: student government leaders, athletes, and members of ROTC.
  
  
• Science instruction in the London and Puebla programs provide the rare opportunity for pre-medical students to study abroad and still prepare for the Medical College Admissions. The Puebla program also offers internships with Mexican doctors.
  
  
• The Dublin programs are deeply connected to Ireland 's tradition of literary excellence; guest speakers have included Nobel Prize winners Seamus Heaney and Derek Walcott. Students from all fields enroll directly in University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
  
  
• Since 2000, Notre Dame has co-hosted an exchange (with Harvard University ) with universities in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil. Popular among African-American students, this program focuses on poverty and development.
  
  
• Angers and Innsbruck students enjoy a rich network of host families. On-site directors show students how to build international careers through visits with distinguished alumni, and advising sessions at the Fulbright Foundation in Paris and Vienna.
  
  
• Students of Russian enjoy courses like Prof. Gasperetti's “Literary Culture of Saint Petersburg,” which once brought the entire class to Saint Petersburg during spring break.
  
  
• Future plans include an Executive MBA program in Brussels , a Business program on entrepreneurship in Nigeria , and a study/internship program for engineers in Karlsruhe, Germany.