美国高校学生出国留学发展状况、特征及其原因

Analysis of the Current Situation,Characters and Inspiration on the Undergraduate's Study Abroad of the United States of America

美国《门户开放报告》的相关数据显示,近年来美国高校学生出国留学人数增长迅猛,出国留学生在学位和年级分布上呈现"橄榄型"分布,白人仍是出国留学生主体,但少数族裔大学生出国留学人数呈攀升趋势。美国高校学生出国留学呈现出驻留海外学习时间较短、研究型大学派出绝对数量多、留学目标国家趋向多元等显著特征。作为高等教育发达的美国,其高校学生近年来出国留学人数猛增,有着高等教育国际化发展的必然需要,但提升国家竞争力和维护国家安全是根本驱动因素,美国社会对大学生海外经验的重视是重要现实因素。此外,通过学生国际流动来构建美国与世界他国和地区新的交流方式、增进国际理解也是不可忽视的隐形推手。

The data of Open Door Report shows that the number of US college students studying abroad has been increasing rapidly, the distribmion of those studying abroad in degree and grade is like the shape of olive. Although the white is still the majority going abroad, the number of minority students studying abroad is going up in recent years. The US undergraduates studying abroad can be characterized of short-term study, the absolute majority sent by the research universities, and more diversified in overseas study destinations. As an advanced country in higher-education, the United States needs to develop its international aspect in higher education. Enhancing its national competitiveness and maintaining the national security are the fundamental drive for the US undergraduates studying abroad. US universities pay more attention to promoting international exchange because the employers attach great importance to the overseas study experience of the university graduates. Another invisible factor for US undergraduates studying abroad is that the universities intend to construct a new way of communication between USA and other countries via the students exchange internationally and to enhance mutual understanding.