NCORE Conference: College Presidents Share Impact of International Programs: Howard University president Dr. Sidney Ribeau was initially surprised when, about six months ago, a standing room-only crowd of students packed in the school’s 1,500-seat auditorium for a program promoting study abroad opportunities in China. Because first lady Michelle Obama was the program’s keynote speaker, an amused Ribeau simply reasoned that her appearance was what likely drew such a large turnout.But he was nearly floored in recent weeks as undergraduates steadily “made their way to my office, looking for funding and support” in order to study in China this summer. While Howard’s MBA program typically sends at least 30 students to China most summers, Ribeau estimated that more than 60 undergraduates—at least one fourth of them freshmen—were clamoring to spend time in the country that is the world’s longest continuous civilization.
