Because we believe so strongly in the need to prepare students for the international environment in which they will live and work in the 21st century, St. John’s is committed to and is making progress toward accomplishing its goal of increasing tenfold by 2012 the number of students who study abroad. And, in keeping with our Vincentian values, we strive to include meaningful service opportunities in every international experience. Discover the World (DTW), the University’s innovative, multi-city, one-semester program, increased participation last year by 19%. Additional financial assistance is provided for qualifying students and last year 34% of students studying abroad were in the “very high need” category and more than 50% of them were ethnic minorities. This contrasts markedly with national trends showing that the majority of study-abroad students are affluent or middle class and fewer than 17% come from diverse backgrounds. The U.S. Census Bureau now estimates that by 2050, half of all Americans will be minorities. St. John’s students, therefore, are helping those outside of the United States meet and learn about the “new” Americans. In addition, our students are helping to break stereotypes that portray American youth as uninterested in social issues and foreign affairs. Last year’s DTW participants posted an impressive 900 hours of community service. Activities ranged from teaching English at local schools to serving food in soup kitchens and working in homeless shelters, children’s hospitals and drug rehabilitation clinics.