14
November
2016
|
05:07 AM
America/New_York

Ohio State ranked in the top 10 nationally for study abroad and top 20 for international students

The Ohio State University is ranked in the top 10 nationally among doctoral institutions for the number of students studying abroad and is in the top 20 for its international student enrollment, according to a national report released today.

Ohio State ranks 8thamong the nation’s colleges and universities with 2,603 students studying abroad in 2014-15, a 2 percent increase over the previous year. Ohio State ranks 3rd in the nation for the number of students participating in short-term programs with 2,461 studying abroad for one to eight weeks during the academic year.

Ohio State ranks 18th in the nation with 7,117* international students enrolled in 2015 matching similar enrollment the previous year.

These findings were issued as part of the 2016 Open Doors Report, an annual survey published by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Participation in education abroad at Ohio State shows steady growth over the last few years as a result of a few key factors. Ohio State developed programming geared toward first and second year students, instituted a university-wide commitment to make international opportunities more accessible to diverse student populations andoffered close to 60 study abroad opportunities during the month of May. Of the 2,603 students that studied abroad in 2014-15, 840 took advantage of the four-week programs in May.

“May and summer programming provides students with an opportune moment in their college career to study abroad and gain international experience in their field of study or complete General Education requirements,” said Gifty Ako-Adounvo, assistant vice provost for global strategies and international affairs. “We have made a concerted effort to develop programs that focus on the history, culture and environment of particular regions that has made studying abroad more accessible to a variety of student populations.”

International student enrollment experienced a slight decrease and remains at a level that aligns with the university’s recruitment strategy. Ohio State enrolled 7,121 international students in 2014.

“Our recruitment strategy is geared toward setting international student enrollment levels in tandem with enhanced programming efforts to help our students adapt to a new cultural environment, while also supporting their academic success at Ohio State,” Ako-Adounvo said.

International students at Ohio State hail from 113 different countries including, China (4,337); India (735); South Korea (591); Malaysia (218); and Taiwan (165). Nationally, the leading home countries for international students are China, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Canada.

The top fields of study at Ohio State for international students include engineering, business, social sciences, biomedical and biological sciences, and mathematics and statistics similar to the national trend.

The most popular destinations for Ohio State students to study abroad include the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Australia, Spain and Brazil. Nationally, the leading destinations for studying abroad aretheUnited Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France and China.

The top fields of study for Ohio State students studying abroad are business and management, health sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, agriculture and social sciences, whereas the national trend includes science, technology, engineering and mathematics, business, social sciences, and foreign language and international studies.

The 2016 Open Doors Report is released as part of the nationwide observance of International Education Week (November 14-18), a joint initiative established by the U.S. Departments of Education and State.

At Ohio State, International Education Week is celebrated with a number of activities supported by the Office of International Affairs, which oversees Ohio State’s education abroad programs and international student and scholar services. The office also advances high quality international education programs, scholarships and service activities to promote global opportunities for Ohio State, its faculty, staff and students. For more information, visit http://oia.osu.edu/

* The IIE’s collection of enrollment data for international students includes two categories of students who are not currently enrolled at Ohio State in classes for credit. They include “Optional Practical Training” students who are not taking classes, but are continuing their education through practical training in their field of study, and exchange students who are pursuing continuing (non-degree) education.