CANTON — Nearly two-thirds of the students at St. Lawrence University study abroad during their undergraduate experience.

That statistic earned the university national recognition for the number of students who participate in overseas programming.

In the Institute of International Education's Open Doors report St. Lawrence ranked favorably among the nation’s baccalaureate institutions for the number of students who study abroad and for the number of students who take part in semester-long overseas programs.

“It is increasingly essential that students learn the skills that are needed in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Karl Schonberg, associate dean of international studies. “Students find that study abroad programs are a useful addition to the need to learn about other cultures and to function in those cultures that are not their own. St. Lawrence has a long tradition of doing this well, and students come to St. Lawrence because of what we offer.”

While there is a rising trend for students to take part in short-term study abroad opportunities, typically for eight weeks or less, St. Lawrence students tend to take part in longer, semester-long study abroad programs.

In the 2012-13 academic year, 51 percent of St. Lawrence students took part in either a semester-long or yearlong study abroad program, up 3 percent from the previous year.

The news comes on the heels of St. Lawrence’s upcoming celebration of its 40 years in Kenya and 50 years in France – the institution’s first study abroad program.

Both programs will be recognized during reunion weekend in June 2014.