University of Richmond moves up in rankings for international student enrollment and study abroad participation
January 20, 2009
The Institute of International Education has ranked University of Richmond No. 14 on its list of the top 40 baccalaureate institutions enrolling international students in 2007-08.
The list, published in the organization's Open Doors report, also ranked the university No. 5 for mid-length undergraduate study-abroad participation in programs usually lasting a semester and No. 11 for undergraduate participation in short-term, summer study-abroad programs or programs during the academic year lasting less than eight weeks.
Last year, Richmond ranked No. 16 for number of enrolled international students and No. 9 and No. 10 for mid-length and short-term study-abroad participation, respectively.
Krittika Onsanit, director of international student scholar and internship services at the university, said the increase in international student enrollment is evidence of Richmond's ability to attract more students from around the world by increasing its student exchange partnerships with universities abroad.
Michele Cox, Richmond's director of study-abroad programs, said that while the national trend is toward shorter study-abroad assignments, Richmond students continue studying abroad for an entire semester, which provides greater opportunity for cross-cultural learning.
The improved rankings in the Open Doors report and recognition by Newsweek last year as the hottest college in the nation for international studies are indications of a strong program, said Uliana Gabara, dean of international education.
"We have well over 50 partnerships with universities around the world," she said. "We are preparing both American and international students to successfully compete and lead in a global economy."