BU Ranked Tenth in International Students

Boston University continues to build on its goal of broadening its international presence with the latest Open Doors report, which ranks both international populations and study-abroad programs at colleges and universities in the United States. The report, released November 12, reported BU as having the tenth largest international population of any major U.S. university. Although this year’s ranking has fallen from last year, when BU was ranked eighth, the University has increased its number of international students by more than 250.

During the 2006–2007 academic year, the University hosted 4,484 students from 135 countries, and according to Jeanne Kelley, director of the International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO), it is currently hosting 4,752 students from 133 countries.

“International students come to BU because of the quality of our academic programs,” Kelley says. “Our curriculum is designed with an international perspective, and Boston is a very attractive city for international students.”

BU is ranked as the second highest institution for foreign and exchange students in New England, says Urbain DeWinter, associate provost for international programs. “Boston University has a long tradition of enrolling international students, and it has consistently maintained its reputation overseas as a major research university that enthusiastically welcomes international students,” he says.

The 2007 report shows that the number of foreign students enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education increased by 3 percent, to a total of 582,984, during the 2006-2007 academic year. This marks the third consecutive year that the U.S. has hosted more than half a million international students. Additionally, a report from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs showed the number of student and exchange visas issued in 2007 rose 10.2 percent, compared to the same period last year.

“The U.S. higher education system is still recognized as being one of the best in the world, and international students like the practical training they receive throughout their academic experiences here,” Kelley says. “The United States continues to be a global leader in business, and training in the English language helps international students succeed when they get home.” 

But international students are not the only beneficiaries of BU’s diverse population. “The interaction between international students and American students is important because both can engage in a dialogue and have a better understanding of the world through that dialogue,” DeWinter says. “The opportunities to make friendships with students from other parts of the world makes a significant contribution to the education of our domestic students.”  

The report noted that more students continue to come from six of the 10 leading countries of origin, including Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico.  India remained in the lead, experiencing a 10 percent increase to 83,833 students; this is the sixth consecutive year that India has sent the most students to the United States. China increased by 8 percent with 67,723 students, and South Korea increased by 6 percent with 62,392 students. Enrollments from the Middle East increased by 25 percent, with the most notable rise in the number of students from Saudi Arabia. Significant growth was also seen in students from Iran, Iraq, and Palestine.

At BU, the international population has a similar structure: according to ISSO, Asia has the largest foreign representation at BU, with 653 students coming from China, 650 from Korea, and 482 from India. Students from the Middle East represent 9.8 percent of BU’s international population, with 77 coming from Saudi Arabia.  

“I think students from the Middle East are feeling more comfortable in applying to institutions in the U.S., going though the process of applying for a visa, and traveling to the U.S.,” Kelley says. “There was a slight dip after 9/11, but there have been procedures put into place to streamline the process and make it easier for them.”
 
In total, students come from 6 continents and 133 different countries, some of which — like Botswana and Gabon — are represented by only one student.  

Vicky Waltz can be reached at vwaltz@bu.edu.