Whether taking notes in a lecture hall or speaking out during a class discussion, odds are University students will rub shoulders with some of the best and brightest from, quite literally, across the globe this year.
The University has enrolled 162 undergraduate international students, up from 140 last year.
Counting both graduates and undergraduates, the University has grown to a population of close to 1,500 international students with about 107 countries represented, said Richard Tanson, International Studies foreign student adviser.
According to Dean of Admissions John A. Blackburn, the growth in the international student body is a positive change at the University.
"Part of the educational experience is coming to know and appreciate people from many backgrounds and experiences," Blackburn said. "By enrolling international students, it enriches the total experience of our students."
Director of International Admissions Parke Muth, who came to the University six years ago when only 47 international students were enrolled, is encouraged by this year's numbers.
He cites the Virginia 2020 Commission's effort to recognize the need to bring more international students into the University community as one of the factors contributing to the recent increase in international numbers. The Virginia 2020 Commission outlines long-term goals for the University in several areas - the arts, science and technology, public service and outreach and international activities.
Muth also attributes the increase in international interest to the availability of scholarship funds.
This year, three students from China came to the University on the Rosita Ho Foundation Scholarship, a four-year award made available by businessman Kwan-king Ho to the most qualified international students of Chinese descent.
Even though a University education comes with a price tag of about $26,000 per year for matriculating from outside Virginia and a limited number of scholarships, "relative to other schools, we're a very good deal," Muth said.
Another contributor to the increase is the outreach efforts by University graduates in different countries who portrayed the University in a positive light in their homeland.
For example, first-year Engineering student Isabelle Estripeaut heard about the University from three other Panamanian students from her hometown. She said hearing their experiences had a significant impact on her college decision.
Not only is the international community growing, but the total number of undergraduate enrollment grew this year from 2,930 students last year to 3,002 this year, according to the Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies.
This growth "is part of the University's long-term plan of growth - approved by the Board of Visitors in 1990," Blackburn said. "The University will continue to experience such growth through 2004"
Read More
From the Archives: Celebration and Reflection (4/28 - 5/4)
By Clara Franklin and Annabelle Nee | 58 minutes agoFrom The Purple Shadows breaking into the Dean of Students’s office to multiple student athletes accused of honor code violations, the graduating class’s four years were a wild ride.
PBS NewsHour correspondent speaks on bringing humanity to international conflict
By Grace Little | YesterdaySchifrin's work exploring Putin’s Russia, his coverage of COVID-19 and his reporting in Afghanistan and Ukraine have earned him various accolades.
Spring meal swipe drive aims to tackle food insecurity at the University
By Nicolas Biernacki | YesterdayU.Va. Dine facilitated the drive by converting each meal swipe donated by a student into one pound of food that is then donated to the CFP.
