ASU named top public university choice for international students for third straight year
Editor’s note: This story is featured in the 2023 year in review.
For the third consecutive year, Arizona State University has been named the No. 1 public university for hosting international students by the 2023 Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report, ahead of the University of Illinois, Purdue and the University of Michigan. ASU has held the No. 1 position for public universities six of the past eight years.
In fall 2022, ASU hosted more than 17,900 international students, a 17% increase over fall 2021 when the university hosted 15,200-plus international students.
Overall, ASU moved up to fourth in international student choice, ahead of the University of Southern California, the University of Illinois and Purdue.
“We are proud that more and more international students are choosing ASU as their academic home,” said Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost at ASU. “Our global reputation for academic excellence is growing alongside our international enrollment. Students across the globe understand that an ASU degree provides our graduates with the tools and skills they need to make transformative contributions in the world.”
International student enrollment makes up more than 15% of ASU’s total student population on its Arizona campuses, and students come to the university from 157 countries around the world, representing a host of cultures, backgrounds and religions.
“My ASU experience has been incredible because of the wonderful opportunities to meet students and faculty from almost every country in the world,” said Vishvali Deo, a Master of Science in robotics and autonomous systems student from India. “The presence of so many international students means we celebrate all the major festivals on campus, which is not only a good break from studies but also contributes significantly in the development of a global mindset, which is highly coveted in today's world.”
Many international students choose ASU for its variety of programs, inspiring faculty and commitment to innovation.
“ASU’s emphasis on research and advanced initiatives aligned seamlessly with my academic aspirations,” said psychology major Dhrushi Padma of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “The opportunities at ASU are endless, and it really is about gaining an education you want, how you want, with top faculty and resources available. For me, the ASU experience is about gaining a holistic education that extends beyond the classroom.”
Each year, thousands of international students choose to leave their home country and invest their time and trust in ASU. ASU reciprocates that trust by offering international students a high-quality, globally minded education backed by powerful student support resources to help ensure their success.
An anchor of those support resources is the International Students and Scholars Center, which serves international students across ASU’s multiple campuses and locations.
“We support international students in two distinct ways,” said Moninder “Holly” Singh, assistant vice president of the center. “By facilitating interactions between international students to help them adjust to the culture shift they experience when coming to the U.S., and by supporting students with immigration and other compliances, including immigration advising, tax information and best practices for traveling in and out of the U.S. We also assist them in finding employment while in school or through Optional Practical TrainingOptional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. .”
Kent Hopkins, vice president of Academic Enterprise enrollment at ASU, says this kind of support is key to the international student experience.
“Traveling far distances from family, friends and the familiarity of their home country to come study in the U.S. is a brave and monumental decision for international students,” he said. “We are grateful for the families that put their trust and investment in ASU. Our job is to honor that decision and trust by committing all our efforts to the success and well-being of our international students.”
Also in the Open Doors report: ASU is in the top 10 for the short-term length category for study abroad, ahead of the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan and UCLA. ASU is also in the top 20 for most study abroad overall, ahead of Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota and USC.
Top photo: Graduates listen to speakers during the International Student Convocation on May 6 at the Student Pavilion on ASU's Tempe campus. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
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