To provide the public with a more accurate understanding of the risks of studying abroad, the Office of Higher Education (OHE) reports study abroad health and safety incident data along with student participation data. This information is submitted annually to OHE by Minnesota postsecondary institutions whose students studied abroad in the prior academic year.
The following data reflects study abroad participation and incidents of Minnesota students that occurred between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2022.
According to Minn. Statutes § 5.41, postsecondary institutions offering credit for study abroad must:
OHE adheres to current federal and state data privacy laws and best practices to protect the privacy of individual students. Reports and data required by Minn. Stat. § 135A.15, Subd. 6 are prepared and published as summary data, as defined in Minn. Stat. § 13.02, Subd. 19, and are consistent with federal and state laws governing access to educational data and student privacy.
OHE's policy for complying with federal and state laws governing access to student records is to suppress student data in the cells containing fewer than ten students. This year's report introduces changes in the student data suppression. Beginning with the 2021 report, suppression of the participant counts no longer occurs if fewer than ten students appear in a table or chart as the report contains no student demographics or other potentially identifying information. However, the suppression of incidents counts still occurs if participant counts are fewer than ten.
Minnesota law also requires the Minnesota Secretary of State to publish links to the United States Department of State's Consular Information Program informing the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Also other links to publicly available reports on sexual assaults and other criminal acts affecting study abroad program participants during program participation are available. That information and other study abroad resources are available at Study Abroad Health and Safety Resources for Students and Parents.