UCLA's popularity as a destination for international students remains strong, according to Open Doors, an annual report published by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the United States.
The 2013 Open Doors report ranks UCLA third among public universities, and six overall among U.S. universities, in enrolling international students. In total, nearly 8,500 international students called UCLA home during the 2012–13 academic year.
Shideh Hanassab, director of UCLA's Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars, said UCLA's academic reputation, diversity and support services make the campus a top choice for thousands of international students.
"UCLA appeals to international students because it offers a world-class education in one of the most diverse and vibrant cities in the world," Hanassab said. "Once the students are here, we work hard at the Dashew Center to provide the programs and services they need to seamlessly integrate both socially and academically into campus life."
She added that the Dashew Center frequently brings together international and domestic students to share ideas and to talk about language, culture and traditions, among many other topics.
"International students enrich the educational experience of all the students on campus," Hanassab said. "The knowledge, skills and unique perspectives they bring help to prepare our students to work and compete in a global economy."
According to the Open Doors report, the total number of international students studying in the U.S. increased to a record high of 819,644 in 2012–13, a 7 percent increase over the previous year. With seven years of consecutive increases, there are now 40 percent more international students studying in the America than a decade ago. The report noted that students from China and Saudi Arabia accounted for much of the growth in 2012–13.
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