Next year, 275 Bowdoin students—over 50 percent of the Class of 2015—plan to leave Brunswick to study off campus next year, according to Christine Wintersteen, director of off-campus study.

This is a slight increase over past years, when slightly under 50 percent have gone to study away from campus. In the 2012-2013  academic year, the figure was 48 percent of juniors—or 237 students.  

The 275 figure represents the number of final applications submitted. The number of students who actually end up going abroad is often slightly less since unexpected issues occur.

“There are a lot of great programs available and we are seeing students really take advantage of unique opportunities. Bowdoin students will be studying abroad all over the world,” said Wintersteen.

Bowdoin students can choose from a wide variety of school approved programs in countries ranging from Ethiopia to New Zealand.

This year three students plan on studying in Turkey. This is a relatively unusual destination where Bowdoin students have not traveled  in several years, but the country’s location between two continents, Europe and Asia, is a large part of its appeal.  

“With the instability of other areas in the Middle East—Egypt and Syria—Turkey has become a more appealing destination,” said Wintersteen.

An unusual program in artic studies is bringing three Bowdoin students to Svalbard, Norway. Another student is traveling to Cameroon to study French.

Wintersteen said 17 students plan to be abroad for the entire academic year.

Next year, more students will be studying abroad in the fall than in the spring. This was often the case in the past, but this year more juniors are studying away in the spring. 

“Things are not looking as balanced [this upcoming] year as they have been in the past. A lot of students are choosing to go abroad in the fall,” said Wintersteen. 

This may potentially result in tighter housing in the spring as more juniors will be on campus, Wintersteen said.

In the coming weeks, the Off-Campus Study Office will further examine the breakdown of destinations and programs.