Arizona State University is ranked 11th in the nation as a top choice for international students among all colleges and universities, according to a report released today by the Institute of International Education.
ASU increased its appeal among international students during the 2012-13 academic year, with 6,645 international students attending the university, up 29.6 percent from the previous year’s 5,127 students when ASU was ranked 15th in the nation. ASU is also ranked 11th among top doctorate institutions.
The university attracts students from more than 120 nations throughout the world. China, India and Saudi Arabia are the top three countries represented at ASU. Students are enrolled at each of ASU’s four campuses across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
“We’re very strong in the academic areas that are in demand among international students, and our ranking of top 100 universities in the world appeals to international students,” said David Burge, executive director of admission services at ASU. A majority of international students choose engineering as their major with 2,060 students studying the field. Business degrees are the second most sought after with 1,102 students. Additional programs include intensive English with 855 students, computer and information sciences with 578 and social sciences majors with 274 students.
International students choose ASU because the university offers an excellent academic experience and they discover a sense of community when they connect with other students from their countries.
“Students who are already here take care of those coming to the university after them. They make sure they have connections to people from their country, cultural traditions and even places to eat. It’s really nice to see,” said Jennifer Glawson, ASU International Student and Scholars Center director.
The university is reaching across borders to bring ASU to students abroad through recruitment fairs, programs that allow students to take classes in their countries and transfer seamlessly to ASU and partnerships throughout the world that ensure that ASU meets the needs of a global community.
Benjamin Liu came to ASU from China to take classes at the W.P. Carey School of Business. He chose ASU since it was a large university that offers plenty of opportunities for students. He’s majoring in supply chain management and management entrepreneurship.
“ASU has a great business school. The program is great,” Liu said.
As the president of the Coalition of International Students, he is able to meet students from around the world as the organization offers resources and hosts events such as a welcome event, career fair and Football 101 for students from other countries.
Combined with opportunities offered by the university, there are plenty of activities to keep students busy.
”There are a lot of options like research projects and other opportunities at ASU that other places couldn’t offer,” Liu said.
Nusret Ipek is an engineering management major from Turkey who found that ASU offers a university experience where students can always find something to suit their interests.
“You can find anything that you want through many clubs and activities,” he said.
Mariana Delacerda came to ASU from Brazil to major in architecture and landscape architecture with a minor in sustainability. The university’s technological classrooms, size and academic programs immediately appealed to her.
“I had no doubt that I wanted to come to ASU,” she said. “I saw that the School of Sustainability was the first of its kind. They have so many programs and it is amazing.”
Working toward her academic goals at a university with so many other international students enriches the experience and has helped her grow academically.
“I love that ASU is huge in international students. For my program, that is amazing to be in a classroom with people from all around the world. We come up with so many great ideas,” Delacerda said.
