The University of Michigan has consistently ranked as the nation's top public university for study abroad, reflecting its commitment to international education and historic growth in student participation, according to newly released data.
Recognized during International Education Week 2025, U-M was named the No. 1 public university-and No. 2 overall-in the latest Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education, based on participation during the 2023-24 academic year.
"Maintaining our position as the No. 1 public university for education abroad for the second consecutive year-and ranking No. 2 nationally-reflects the university's deep commitment to preparing students for a global future," said Valeria Bertacco, U-M vice provost for engaged learning. "Whether through study abroad, international internships, research collaborations or service programs, we continue to expand pathways for students to engage meaningfully with the world."
Business in Milan
For Peter Parlagreco, a senior majoring in business, the study abroad experience offered an inside look at the heart of the global luxury industry.
"I traveled to Milan, Italy; an immersive academic experience centered on luxury, culture and brand management. We explored the city's major cultural and historical sites, visited luxury fashion houses, toured production facilities, engaged with industry speakers and studied how the Italian lifestyle and country-of-origin effects shape global perceptions of craftsmanship and luxury. The trip blended academic learning with firsthand exposure to brands like Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Maserati and Bottega Veneta."
Parlagreco joined the Milan program through an application process designed to provide students with high-impact experiential learning. With a deep interest in international business, he was eager to connect classroom theory with hands-on exposure to global markets.
"From the moment I landed, Italy immediately expressed its identity through design, beauty and luxury; from advertisements at the airport to the architecture, boutiques and streets of Milan," Parlagreco said.
The trip also sparked a personal reflection for Parlagreco, providing insight into how luxury connects deeply to individual psychology and global culture.
"Coming from a lower-income background, I was always curious about why people desire luxury. After seeing the industry up close, I realized how deeply luxury is tied to human psychology: status, identity and aspiration. I also learned how much of luxury pricing is driven not by materials but by intangible elements: brand history, storytelling, global cultural awareness and craftsmanship narratives.
"The trip also showed me how global culture shapes design and how Italian identity has been built through centuries of absorbing influences from around the world. It broadened my understanding of globalization and the responsibilities companies have when localizing their brands internationally," Parlagreco said.
Participation and impact
According to the most recent Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education, 3,966 U.S. students from U-M participated in education-abroad programs during the 2023-24 academic year. Students traveled to 121 countries, with Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy among the top destinations.
The Open Doors survey, funded by the U.S. State Department, is the nation's most comprehensive measure of study abroad, but does not include all U-M students. Non-U.S. citizens and those participating in noncredit educational activities such as internships and volunteer work are excluded.
When including these groups, U-M's total rises to 5,462 students abroad in 2023-24-an increase of 1,496 over the Open Doors count. These students participated in 5,827 trips, with many engaging in multiple experiences.
Nearly 19% of these students were from underrepresented racial minority backgrounds and 12% were first-generation college students.
One canvas at a time
As a first-generation college student and art major, Maria Isho had never traveled overseas before her summer in South Korea.
"The biggest reason I wanted to travel abroad was because I had never been abroad before and I wanted to experience a different culture and setting than what I am used to," Isho said.
Because her class schedule ran from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., she had to use the rest of her days wisely and "often crammed as much as I could, so moments like sitting alone by the river were the best way to sit and take in everything you've done," she said.
Locals made her feel welcome and appreciated; "I did not know much about any Korean prior to the trip, but I did my best to learn before going places and it led to many pleasant interactions," Isho said.
She had access to art materials and worked with "genuinely brilliant professors who taught me about traditional Korean craft. The skills I learned from them I plan to carry into my work and explore further," she said.
Grateful for support from U-M's First-Gen Education Abroad Scholarship, Isho encourages future students.
"Try to learn the language when you can; it is respectful and people will appreciate your effort. Don't spend all your time in your dorms! There is so much more to do than just attend your classes. Try to explore as much of the culture as you can and make the most of your trip there."
Finding community in Morocco
Mahmuda Chowdhury from the Ford School of Public Policy saw studying abroad as the chance for a fresh start. "I can read Arabic, but not understand it or speak it so I thought studying abroad would be a good opportunity," Chowdhury said.
"During my study abroad in Morocco, I met many other first-generation students in my cohort and Moroccan peers. Our discussions flowed naturally because we could easily relate to each other's experiences, from navigating unfamiliar academic and cultural settings to balancing the expectations of our families. This shared understanding created a strong sense of community and made the experience even more meaningful."
Chowdhury hadn't always planned to go to Morocco. "I had intended to go to South Korea, but a friend convinced me to join her for the Morocco program. When she canceled, I decided to go on my own, despite feeling anxious about going to a country where I didn't speak the language," she said.
What began as an uncertain journey turned into one of the best experiences of her life. She made new friends, embraced the language and found the program at U-M "so well thought out; everything they do is intentional and considerate of their students and I would recommend it 1,000 times over," Chowdhury said.
One core memory was an overnight trip to see the Moroccan national football team play Zambia-a journey that summed up the excitement and camaraderie she found abroad. "It was an incredible adventure," she said.
Chowdhury's host family and friendships made leaving Morocco difficult, but she treasures the unforgettable experiences, personal growth and lifelong connections she gained. Financial support from the First-Gen Education Abroad Scholarship, she added, made it all possible by allowing her to "fully immerse myself in the experience without constantly worrying about money," Chowdhury said.
"We look forward to continuing to build on this momentum, amplified by our Global Engagement Strategic Plan," Bertacco said. "In the first two years of the plan, we have broadened and deepened our global footprint-launching key initiatives that increase and diversify student participation in international experiences. These efforts reflect our unwavering dedication to global engagement across every corner of the university."
