USF World News
USF Ranked Among Top Universities for Global Education
TAMPA, Fla. (November 15, 2022) -- As universities across the United States celebrate International Education Week November 14-18, the University of South Florida is being recognized as one of the best in the nation for global engagement among students – both for study abroad programs and international student enrollment.
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education (IIE) report annually on student mobility rankings and trends through the Open Doors® 2022 Report on International Educational Exchange, which is considered an important measurement for international education mobility. According to the new report, USF remains the No. 1 destination in the state of Florida for international student enrollment and is ranked among the top 20 universities nationally for students studying abroad.
“USF’s diverse representation of international students among our student body is a point of pride for the USF community,” USF President Rhea Law said. “International students enhance academic and campus life experiences by helping all students to appreciate different perspectives and cultures as they prepare for careers in a globalized economy.”
Nationally, the number of students who studied abroad for academic credit dropped significantly during the 2020-21academic year with many institutions canceling most, if not all, outbound mobility during the global pandemic. However, through careful planning and monitoring, USF took measures to safely and successfully support students engaging in transformational global experiences during this period of time. USF faculty led study abroad programs to Italy, Curacao, the Galapagos Islands, and Romania during the summer of 2021. In addition, throughout the 2020-21 academic year, students participated in affiliate and exchange partner programs in South Korea, Spain, Iceland, Sweden and Germany. As a result, USF ranks No. 13 among public institutions and No. 18 nationally for the number of students participating in credit-earning study abroad experiences.
“Our international engagement is the product of an intentional, strategically guided effort to enhance the global learning of all students at USF,” said Eric Eisenberg, interim USF provost and executive vice president.
The pandemic produced unique challenges for international students. In response, USF invested in the innovative delivery of support services and communication channels that ensured the success of international students studying from campus and from abroad.
“The success of our programmatic activities around the world is evidence of USF’s dedication to the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff, and the resiliency of our commitment to global engagement,” said Vice President of USF World Kiki Caruson.
As of fall 2021, USF is home to 6,107 international students from more than 140 countries, including 1,565 who are participating in post-graduation optional practical training (OPT). USF is currently ranked No. 20 among public universities and No. 30 nationally for international student enrollment.
You can support USF students studying abroad by contributing to the USF Education Abroad Scholarship Fund.