UK Students Coming and Going in Record Numbers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 9, 2012) — “Engaging in international projects has always been a core aspect of UK’s global research enterprise, providing access for international students to seek their degrees at UK, allowing opportunities for our students to study abroad and immerse themselves in different cultures, and creating opportunities for faculty exchanges that enrich the academic and cultural fabric of our campus," said UK President Eli Capilouto.

The significant growth in UK’s international education demonstrates this commitment. The number of international students enrolled at UK and the number of UK students who have enrolled in education abroad programs have both increased for the 2011-2012 academic year.

The number of international students enrolled at UK has increased by 13 percent, while the number of international undergraduates has increased by 27 percent. Additionally, the number of UK students who enrolled in an Education Abroad program during the 2011-2012 academic year increased by 39 percent.

Susan Carvalho, associate provost for international programs, said the growth in the numbers of students coming and going reflects the efforts of the Office of International Affairs, serving the UK community by facilitating the interaction of global students and scholars.

“We not only create diverse opportunities for global experiences, we also promote the involvement of UK faculty and students in the international community of scholars to investigate and solve global problems,” Carvalho said.

Coming - International Students

The strong partnership between the Office of Enrollment Management, led by Associate Provost Don Witt and OIA’s International Enrollment Manager Audra Cryder, has played a central role in the increase in enrolled undergraduate international students.

Gary Gaffield, assistant provost for international partnerships, described Cryder as "a true innovator" in finding ways to reach international students through both traditional and new media.

"Thanks to Audra and to her work with social media, tens of thousands of prospective students are hearing why UK is a top choice for study in the USA," Gaffield said. "She travels constantly, meets hundreds of students each year, and is always finding new ways to reach out to them and show them why they should enroll at UK."

Since last October, more than 70 Omani students have begun studying at UK. Their presence has caused UK’s international enrollment of Middle Eastern students to double, and is the positive result of a partnership that Cryder cultivated between UK and the Omani Ministry of Higher Education.

The country with the highest percentage of students attending UK is China, reflecting UK’s growing presence in China, strengthened by partnerships with Shanghai University, Jilin University, Wuhan University and the China University of Mining and Technology, as well as the bridge-building work of the UK Confucius Institute. To capitalize on these opportunities, Cryder is currently working with a team of Chinese students attending UK, as well as with Diane Shen, who represents UK in China, to develop new recruitment strategies.

Going - Education Abroad

Tony Ogden, director of Education Abroad, attributes increased enrollment in education abroad programs to the diversity and quality of faculty-led programs.

“Education Abroad programs designed and led by UK faculty closely align with UK’s curriculum in a way that programs offered by third parties cannot," Ogden said. "Students are also more likely to participate in a faculty-led program because they know the program will complement their program of study, and they want to travel with their professors and fellow students.”

Education Abroad will continue its growth by expanding education abroad opportunities to include study abroad, research abroad, intern abroad, teach abroad and service abroad opportunities.

Abby Hollander, assistant director of education abroad, said that she hopes to increase interest in education abroad throughout the university.

“We hope to provide students in all of UK’s colleges with international experiences that will help them broaden their intercultural competence, scholarship and professional opportunities worldwide," Hollander said.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Geegan, (859) 257-5365; sarah.geegan@uky.edu