By Christine Clark
LA JOLLA–The University of California, San Diego ranked tenth in the nation among research institutions for the number of UC San Diego students who study abroad for a full academic year, according to the Institute of International Education (IIE) Open Doors report.
The report is published annually by the IIE with support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The rankings are based on the 2008-2009 academic year.
“International education and exchange play a key role in fostering world peace,” said director of UC San Diego’s International Center, Lynn Anderson. “UC San Diego’s success with international education can be attributed to the understanding that all university graduates in the 21st century should have a global education that prepares them to succeed in today’s world. Our students have benefited greatly from the university’s dedication to global awareness.”
During the 2008-2009 academic year, 1,177 undergraduate and graduate students participated in education programs in 52 foreign countries through the university’s Global Seminars, Education Abroad and Opportunities Abroad Programs. UC San Diego students received more than $490,000 in special study abroad scholarships support.
Funding for UC San Diego students who study abroad comes from a variety of sources including the Friends of the International Center, an organization which has provided more than half a million dollars in scholarships for international and study abroad students.
For the number of international students on campus, UC San Diego ranks in the top five percent of institutions across the country.
“These students contribute to our classrooms, research and service and help globally educate our campus,” Anderson noted.
For more information on the IIE Open Doors report, go to www.iie.org/en.
