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As Globalization Increases, So Does International Study

Carmen Wymer, For the Miami Student

 

First-year and native Chinese student Panyuan Guo decided to study at Miami University during her last year of high school in China.

 Although she had never been to the United States, she decided it would make her more employable to have this experience. A math major, she said she hopes to teach in China when she is older and instill in students the same love of math that she has.

After scouring the websites of various universities, Guo said she chose Miami when her friends recommended it for its great reputation.

"I always wanted to study in America," Guo said. "And Miami had the broad education I was looking for."

Each year more students worldwide are electing to study in foreign countries, according to the Open Doors report by the Institute of International Education. As more students come to study in the United States, more American students are studying abroad as well. Study abroad in the nation has more than tripled over the past two decades. The report shows that Miami does particularly well, ranking third in undergraduate study abroad participation of all public doctoral universities in the nation.

On average, 9.4 percent of American students study abroad by the time they graduate. Miami, however, sends about 38 percent of its student body on study abroad.. Erin Miller Brandyberry said she attributes Miami's high study abroad rates to the values the school instills in its students.

"Because Miami believes in the value of international education," Brandyberry said. "We've got it built into our general education plan, which is not something that many other universities do."

The top study abroad destinations for American students are the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain, according to the Open Doors report. In contrast, Miami's top destinations are Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and China.

Faculty-led programs could be a factor in where students choose to study, as it is the number one type of study abroad experience at Miami, according to Brandyberry.

"I think Miami faculty recognize the value of study abroad to a student's learning experience," Brandyberry said.

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The number of international students studying in the United States, as well as Miami, has been steadily increasing. According to the Open Doors report, just under four percent of enrollment in higher education is made up of international students, a forty percent increase within a decade. Miami's international student enrollment has increased 19 percent since last year. According to the report, most of this growth is due to Chinese students.

The top three countries of origin for international students are China, India and South Korea, which mirrors Miami's amount. According to Assistant Provost of Global Initiatives and Acting Director of study abroad Cheryl Young, Miami has 1003 Chinese students, 51 Indian students and 33 South Korean students.

"The world is becoming increasingly globalized," Young said. "A car company, for example, gets its parts from all over the world. . . In the working world these days, you need to be able to navigate other cultures."