International study continues growth

The university hosted 4,154 international students in 1999-2000, and awarded credit to 1,204 U.S. students who studied abroad in 1998-99, according to a recent report.

The university ranks fourth among four-year research institutions in total foreign student enrollment, says the Institute for International Education.

“The presence of students from all over the globe is an indication of the university’s reputation and its global prominence,” says Sheila Spear, director of International Student Services. “These students provide opportunities for international and global educational experiences for all UW students and provide a strong presence for Wisconsin in the economies of their countries when they return home.”

Institute of International Education President Allan E. Goodman says “increasing the number of international students on U.S. campuses offers U.S. students greater opportunities to learn from, and work together with, someone from another culture.”

In addition, at UW–Madison, the number of students participating in foreign study programs increased 16 percent from 1997-98 to 1998-99. And this past year, an estimated 1,305 students participated in foreign study programs, an increase of another 8 percent over the preceding year.

Each year, UW–Madison students study abroad in countries on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 100 campus-sponsored programs to choose from, serving students in majors from anthropology to zoology. Study abroad programs are integrated with degree and certificate programs on campus.

“Global skills will be in great demand in an increasingly integrated economic and cultural world,” says David M. Trubek, dean of International Studies. “We must find more ways to make international education experiences available to all of our students, regardless of their economic circumstances.”

For more information on UW–Madison international study, contact Sheila Spear, (608) 262-3468; sspear@redgym.wisc.edu; or Maj Fischer, associate director, International Academic Programs, (608) 265-6296; fischer@bascom.wisc.edu.