SE Valley Times

Arizona State University (ASU) has been named the top public university for international students for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Institute of International Education's annual Open Doors report. ASU has held this position seven times in the past nine years, surpassing institutions such as UCLA, Purdue, and the University of Texas.

In the last academic year, ASU hosted over 17,600 international students from 160 countries pursuing various degrees. The report also includes F-1 visa holders who are recent graduates on Optional Practical Training and STEM-OPT, bringing the total to 18,430 international students in fall 2023—a 2.5% increase from the previous year.

ASU also ranks No. 12 overall and No. 10 among public universities for study abroad participation. Nearly 2,500 ASU students received academic credit for studying abroad through more than 300 programs in over 65 countries.

Nancy Gonzales, executive vice president and university provost at ASU, stated: "As a university, we are committed to taking fundamental responsibility for the communities we serve, and that includes the global community."

International students have praised ASU's welcoming environment. Erlang Liu from Shenzhen, China noted: “I found myself in a community that’s as diverse as it is inclusive.” Reishan Leo from Kuala Lumpur shared a similar sentiment about feeling at home at ASU.

The International Students and Scholars Center (ISSC) plays a crucial role in supporting international students with immigration documents and cultural adaptation. Moninder “Holly” Singh from ISSC emphasized their role in guiding students through new environments.

Vishvali Deo from Pune highlighted how her professors have contributed to her sense of belonging: “The connections I’ve made here with professors...have really created a sense of belonging within me.”

ASU's involvement with the IIE Open Doors Report dates back to 1949 when it had just 14 international students. The number has since grown significantly due to its reputation as a top global university.

Reflecting on her experience at ASU, Vishvali said: “I love campus. I love the university. Not a day have I regretted being a Sun Devil!”