January 5, 2023 – Marist College continues to offer among the strongest study abroad options in the country, with its full academic year study abroad program ranking #1 in the nation in participation among U.S. master’s degree granting institutions, according to the latest Open Doors report for the 2020-2021 academic year. Marist also ranked among the Top 10 institutions in the country for its semester-length abroad program (5th), total number of students abroad (5th), and overall study abroad participation (9th).

The report is published by the Institute of International Education in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and is a comprehensive information resource international study.

A global education is a foundation of the Marist learning experience, which is why the College has more than 75 different study abroad programs. Offering a range of semester-long, full academic year, and short-term study abroad programs enable students to stay on track with their studies while giving them access to rich cultural experiences.

In addition, the Marist Italy campus in Florence offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in partnership with one of the most established and innovative educators in Florence, Italy, Istituto Lorenzo d’Medici. The Marist Italy experience has become one of the College’s most distinctive offerings and draws interest from students around the world.

“Study abroad has become a signature aspect of the Marist experience, with about half of our students studying abroad prior to graduation in recent years, which is nearly five times the national average,” said Dr. John Peters, Dean of International Programs at Marist. “Navigating a new context and culture is often cited by students as pivotal and transformative. Our students have these incredible opportunities to learn about themselves and the complexity and diversity of our shared story through international and intercultural exploration.”

Marist student exploring Marist Italy’s campus in historic Florence.

The latest rankings for Marist’s Study Abroad program come less than a year after the program received the Senator Paul Simon Award for its Freshman Year Abroad programs in Italy and Ireland. The Award is one of the most prestigious a college or university can receive for excellence in international programs.

“Studying abroad in Florence was my favorite experience at Marist College, as it gave me such an amazing opportunity to discover different cultures, make new friends, and fall in love with traveling and the world around me,” said Emily Stanzione '23, who spent a full semester at Marist Italy in Florence in 2021. “I grew not only by expanding my academic perspective through learning from other students and teachers from around the world, but by stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing exploration and independence in a new city that I grew to love.”

“Going abroad opened another part of the world for me. The experiences I had, the connections I made, all made my time abroad worthwhile,” said Eric Pfalzer, '25, student in Marist’s Freshman Dublin Experience in '21/'22. “Ireland is beautiful and to be able to study and live in another country is an experience of a lifetime.”

Marist is committed to making study abroad available to as many students as possible. Students are able to use much or all of their financial aid to help support international study, and the Presidential Fund for Equity in the Marist Experience allows students to apply for need-based financial support for a range of educational experiences, which include attachment courses for study abroad.