April 27, 2006

UCSD International Center Sends Record Number Abroad;
Attains High Ranking as Both Sender and Host for Scholars

By Jan Jennings

The University of California, San Diego ranks first nationally among major research universities sending students abroad in full-year programs, according to the 2005 Annual Report of UCSD’s International Center. UCSD sent a record 1,131 students abroad through their Programs Abroad advising services, surpassing other UC campuses.

During 2004-05, UCSD hosted a record 2,090 international faculty and researchers and now ranks fourth among U.S. research institutions in the number of international scholars hosted. Harvard University, UCLA and UC Berkeley, respectively, are the top three universities hosting international scholars.

International students at UCSD increased in number from 1,811 to 1,986 during 2004-2005, despite a national trend of declining numbers of international students experienced by many universities.

Mary Dhooge, director of the International Center, said UCSD hosted a total of 5,121 international students, researchers, and faculty members last year. This includes the 1,986 degree students, 2,090 international research/faculty scholars and 1,045 UCSD Extension students. She credits the extraordinary support from the Friends of the International Center and volunteers in surrounding community for UCSD's ability to provide the hospitality necessary for this large population of visiting students and scholars.

UCSD’s high participation in programs abroad is achieved through the UC-wide Education Abroad Program (EAP) as well as UCSD’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP), both of which are administered through the International Center. Participation in UCSD’s programs abroad has more than doubled during the last 10 years.

During 2004-2005, UCSD students studying abroad were awarded a total of $469,516 in special scholarship support for international education. “Study abroad scholarship is a priority at UCSD,” said Dhooge. “Our goal is to enable all students to have an opportunity to study abroad at a cost equivalent to their net budget for the home campus in San Diego.”

During 2004-2005, math, science and engineering majors abroad represented 22 percent of all UCSD students abroad (compared to the national average of 15 percent). UCSD has sent more engineering and computer science majors on EAP than any other UC campus over the last five years.

Of the 2,090 international researchers and faculty members visiting UCSD last year, the report points out that 37 percent were from European countries and 47 percent from Asia. Most of these scholars’ disciplines fell into science fields, with 34 percent in the health sciences and 16 percent in the physical sciences.

The UCSD International Center began in the early 1960s as an organization to support programs and activities for visitors and students from other countries. Its permanent location on the UCSD campus was built in 1971. Last year approximately 1,000 events were held at the Center. A significant expansion of the International Center facility is in the planning stage, as there is need for space to keep up with multiple campus internationalization efforts, including the increasing programs abroad opportunities in all majors and expanding the diversity of represented regions and campus interactions with international students and scholars.

The International Center’s community programs last year involved 1,176 active volunteers, contributing over 30,000 hours of service to help foster international cultural exchange. International Center continually recruits and trains volunteers to serve as American English tutors, orientation assistants to greet new international arrivals in the fall, host families, weekly helpers at the Centers’ International Café lunches, Friends’ Resale Shop, and hosts at for their Wednesday international spouses/children social hours. In addition, the Friends sponsor special educational events international ethnic dinners.

The Friends of the International Center’s monthly newsletter features cross-cultural and educational events, volunteer activities and letters from outstanding international grads and students abroad, to whom the Friends have awarded scholarships.

For more information on the UCSD International Center, including volunteer projects call (858) 534-3730. To view the International Center Annual Report, check the website.

Media Contacts:
Jan Jennings, (858) 822-1684
Mary Dhooge, International Center, (858) 534-3730