University News
University’s global connections keep growing
New international students and mentors explore campus this past August. (University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster)
Forbes also ranks University as No. 27 among ‘Best Colleges for International Students’
According to Open Doors 2017, the comprehensive report on international education trends released each November by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the University is continuing its growth in international engagement. According to Open Doors, the University ranks No. 73—up from No. 76 a year ago—for international student enrollment among the more than 1,500 U.S. institutions surveyed. With 3,621 international students studying here in the 2016-17 academic year, international students represent about 30 percent of the total student body.
“Educating a global student body is important because the world students enter upon graduation is increasingly connected and complex,” says Jane Gatewood, vice provost for global engagement. Gatewood leads and oversees initiatives related to the University’s global activities. “Our campus demographics reflect a trend seen around the world, both in educational environments and in professional ones. As students enter the workforce, they will find themselves working with colleagues who are from different backgrounds and other countries. Having an educational experience in which individuals are able to interact with, live with, collaborate with, and learn from peers from around the world helps our students develop valuable skills which will serve them throughout their lives,” said Gatewood.
Overall, the total number of international students in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 1,078,822 in 2016-17. However, Open Doors 2017 reports a 3 percent drop in new international students studying at colleges and universities across the U.S.—the first decline in 12 years. New York State is again the second leading host state for international students, just behind California. Students coming to New York from international origins bring a positive economic impact of nearly $4 billion statewide, according to the National Association of International Educators.
The Open Doors report also highlights the annual trends in U.S. students studying abroad. According to Open Doors, a total of 317 University students went abroad for an academic program in 2015-16, with most choosing to do so for a semester during their junior year. For the 2016-17 academic year, the Center for Education Abroad reports that 464 University students participated in an international learning experience.