Institute of International Education ranks Richmond No. 2 and No. 5 for study abroad; No. 7 for international enrollment

The Institute of International Education ranks the University of Richmond second and fifth among leading baccalaureate institutions in two Open Doors surveys measuring the number of students studying abroad.

Richmond ranked second among the top 40 baccalaureate institutions for the total number of students studying abroad for short-term, summer, semester and academic year terms for 2012-2013, the most recent year reported in the survey. The university also ranked No. 5 among the top 20 institutions for the total number of students studying abroad for a semester or longer during 2012-2013.  A total of 605 Richmond students studied abroad that academic year. 

“Study abroad, of any length, but in particular for a semester or longer, creates opportunities for students to experience first-hand and immerse themselves in different cultural contexts and different educational systems,” said Joe Hoff, interim dean of international education. “By doing so, students gain the skills, knowledge and qualities needed for successful interaction with those from other cultures.”

The university also ranked No. 7 among the top 40 baccalaureate institutions for the total number of international students in 2013-14.

The total number of international students at Richmond has increased steadily over the last several years. From 2012-13 to 2013-14, it increased from 374 to 393, with students coming from nearly 80 countries.

International students, including full-degree and exchange students, comprise 12 percent of the undergraduate student population at Richmond. The largest number of international students at Richmond in fall 2014 comes from China (119), followed by India (20), South Korea (14), Spain (14) and the Bahamas (13). The most popular field of study for international students is business administration.

“The large number of international students enriches the campus through intellectual exchanges both within and outside of the classroom,” Hoff said. “These high rankings demonstrate the commitment of the University of Richmond to global learning and preparing its students to work in both local and international contexts.”

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