How This University Achieves 94% Study Abroad Participation

What does it take for a university to become synonymous with global learning? To not only encourage study abroad, but to make it an expectation—woven into the fabric of every student’s experience?

For nearly two decades, one institution has consistently led the nation in sending students around the world, cultivating a deeply international ethos on campus and beyond.

In this episode of Via Voices, we sit down with Nick Gozik—Dean of Global Education and Assistant Professor at Elon University—to unpack the bold vision, enduring commitment, and personal stories behind the U.S.’s top-ranked study abroad program.

Key Takeaways

• Finding Yourself Abroad
  “I think a lot of people that enter the [international education] field do so because they had a transformative experience,” Nick shares. For him, international education isn’t just a career—it’s a personal journey of growth and connection across cultures.

• A Campus That Breathes Global
  “[Elon University] is known for study abroad, but it’s far beyond that…” Nick says. At Elon, global learning isn’t a program—it’s the culture. Faculty teach abroad, students thrive overseas, and a global mindset drives the university’s mission.

• Data That Debunks Myths
  “I think enrollment data becomes so important because it helps us bust some of those myths…” Nick explains. By digging into student data, Elon uncovers who’s really going abroad—challenging assumptions and fueling smarter, more inclusive outreach.

Guest Spotlight

Nick J. Gozik is Dean of Global Education and Assistant Professor at Elon University. Previously, he held positions in international education at Boston College, Duke University, New York University, and the University of Richmond. He has taught at New York University, Boston College, Lesley University, and the School for International Training.

Among his publications, he has co-edited Promoting Inclusion in Education Abroad: A Handbook of Research and Practice (Routledge, 2018) and A House Where All Belong: Redesigning Education Abroad for Inclusive Excellence (The Forum on Education Abroad, 2022).

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Key Insights & Timestamps:

[00:00] Podcast begins

[01:03] Early Worldly Experiences: Why Nick chose the international education field 

[03:44] Understanding Elon University: Meet the top study abroad college

[09:36] What About Tech? How AI & advancing technology is changing international ed

[12:42] Data Defies Enrollment Expectations: Going beyond study abroad myths

[16:09] Rapid Fire Questions: Nick talks humanities, culture, politics & industry

Elon University | Elon.edu

Book: This Other Eden By: Paul Harding

Connect with Nick: LinkedIn

For More Information:
Learn more about the Association of International Education Administrators at AIEAworld.org. Visit ViaTRM.com to learn more about Via TRM and access to additional resources.

Stay Connected:
Connect with Host Brooke Roberts on LinkedIn