Michigan universitiesare a major draw to international college students, according to new report.
The Institute for International Education’s annual Open Doors report ranks the state of Michigan has having the ninth-largest population of international college students, nearly 30,000.
During the 2013-2014 academic year, more than 7,000 international students were taking classes at both Michigan State University (7,704) and the University of Michigan (7,273). Thousands more were enrolled at Wayne State (2,372), Western Michigan (1,831) and Eastern Michigan (1,020) universities.
About a third of the students come to Michigan from China; many others are from India, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.
“There is incredible value in the kind of international education that comes outside the classroom,” said Steven Hanson, MSU Associate Provost and Dean of International Studies and Programs. “Engaging with international students on campus and cultural immersion experiences through study abroad shapes our students’ global perspective, leading to success far beyond graduation.”
California ranked No. 1 in the report, with more than 121,000 international students taking classes in state colleges and universities.
MSU and U of M are also leaders in sending American students overseas.
New York University tops the list for the both international students and American students studying abroad.
“International education is crucial to building relationships between people and communities in the United States and around the world,” says Evan M. Ryan, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. “It is through these relationships that together we can solve global challenges like climate change, the spread of pandemic disease, and combating violent extremism.”
According to the report, nearly 900,000 international students were studying in the U.S. during the 2013-2014 academic year. Just under 300,000 American students spent time studying abroad last year.
Copyright 2014 Michigan Radio
