University of Florida ranks 11th in number of study-abroad students

November 16, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida ranks 11th nationally in the number of students studying abroad, according to the Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education.

The 96-page annual report provides comprehensive data each year on the number of international students and scholars in the United States and on U.S. students who study abroad.

“The statistics demonstrate we are making progress in our goal to internationalize our campus and curriculum,” said Dennis Jett, dean of UF’s International Center.

To earn the rank of 11th, UF had 1,537 students studying abroad in the 2003-04 school year. UF ranked 12th the previous year and was not even in the top 20 in the year before that.

“President (Bernie) Machen and Provost (Janie) Fouke recognize the importance of internationalization with regard to improving our standing as a major research university and in preparing our students to compete in an ever more globalized world,” Jett said. “This shows our efforts are working.”

While a limited international focus can be gained through coursework on campus, UF officials believe the best way to gain that perspective is to experience international culture firsthand.

The Open Doors report also ranked UF seventh in leading institutions to host international researchers and faculty members, and 18th in the number of international students, rising from ranks of eighth and 24th, respectively, last year. In 2004-05, UF hosted 1,886 international scholars, and enrolled 3,492 international students.