A recent advertisement calling for men made its way on the myACU page last week in an attempt to persuade more male students to participate in study abroad due to a lack of male participation.

Stephen Shewmaker, executive director of the Center for International Education, was inspired by the classic advertisement first created by explorer Ernest Shackleton.

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in event of success,” read Shakleton’s advertisement.

The same ad was used to encourage male students to study abroad.

Rachel Brown, study abroad coordinator, said that it is not unusual to see lower male participants who study abroad.

Brown said that after seeing Shackleton’s advertisement, Shewmaker believed the same approach could be made in order to attract a more modern audience.

“The advertisement was to appeal to guys’ sense of mystery in order to entice them to discover more about study abroad,” Brown said.

The Center for International Education shows that the female-to-male ratio for study abroad students is 65 percent to 35 percent. This spring, the male percentage is even lower than normal. According to the CIE office, only 15-20 percent of the students that are studying abroad in the spring are males.

Lisa McCarty, assistant director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, said its fairly evident that ACU has more female students than male.

“The female-to-male student percentage ratio is 58 percent to 42 percent,” said McCarty.

The female-to-male ratio is even lower for students who study abroad.

Alex Buckel, sophomore environmental science major from Azle, is studying abroad in Montevideo next spring.

“I believe that the girl to guy ratio is fairly skewed,” said Buckel.

Brown said the ad was not only meant to persuade male students but also encourage other adventurous students to study abroad.

“Study abroad is an adventure and a great opportunity to experience something different for all students,” said Brown.