About UFIC
Mission Statement
To forge new paths in international education and engagement, to facilitate global collaboration through transformative international experiences and support services, and to further cross-cultural understanding.
UFIC Vision
The vision of the University of Florida International Center is for all members of the UF community to have the opportunities, skills, and support to be global citizens who contribute to a positive and sustainable future for local communities and the world.
The past years have brought new and unexpected challenges to international collaboration and exchange. Universities, as institutions committed to the core values of intellectual freedom and exchange, have a central role to play in responding to those challenges.
UFIC staff administer the programs that made it possible for nearly 6,600 international students to be on campus or pursue practical training this past year, with about 3,000 UF students participating in study abroad, that manage hundreds of collaborative agreements with partner institutions across the world, and that support thousands of international trips for research, teaching, and collaboration. UFIC also helps the UF community overcome barriers and navigate the increasingly complex intricacies of both American and international regulations on global engagement.
Our virtual exchange programs have enabled over 3,600 students to participate in international collaborations with peers abroad, while our faculty and staff have benefited from opportunities to gain global perspectives and engage in professional international interactions.
Our national recognition serves as a testament to the excellence of our global engagement efforts. We have received numerous awards and accolades, including the 2024 APLU International Impact Award for Global Teaching & Learning, ranking 6th nationally in the 2024 Study Abroad Participation, 2nd in both the 2024 and 2025 Fulbright Top Producing Institutions, and 3rd in 2025 for Peace Corps top volunteer-producing schools.
We are also proud about Dean Marta L. Wayne to have been selected by the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) as a 2024-2025 Presidential Fellow.
Other UFIC programs prepare our students to excel in a globalized world. Through the International Scholars Program, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively navigate international contexts and enhance their competitiveness in the global talent market. Our Office for Global Research Engagement develops and manages initiatives intended to enhance faculty international collaboration and to provide support and advice for research around the globe.
UFIC staff countries of origin and expertise encompasses over 70 nations and about 15 languages. We are here to support UF’s preeminence as a global leader. Let us know how we can help!
The University of Florida is proud to be a leader in fostering international understanding, and in developing the networks of students and scholars who collectively work to build a brighter future for the world. And the UF International Center’s (UFIC) mission is to serve and support the entire UF community in this effort since 1991.
UFIC staff administer the programs that made possible over 6,600 international students on campus or pursuing practical training this past year, that sent almost 2,200 UF students to study abroad, that manage hundreds of collaborative agreements with partner institutions across the world, and that support thousands of international trips for research, teaching and collaboration.
The UF International Center also works with units and colleagues across the university to help encourage and support our faculty’s international research engagements. As unique institutions dedicated to the development of human ingenuity and talent, universities are central to this effort, and the University of Florida is committed to becoming a global leader among them.
The International Center is also pleased to host and support Peace Corps and Fulbright Programs on the UF campus.
International students, and exchange students and visitors play an important role in the advancement of UF’s research and teaching missions. Their presence is key to enhancing UF’s tradition of global learning. We are pleased to provide the services that make it possible for them to be here, and to do our best to create a welcoming environment during their stay on campus.
Providing study abroad opportunities for over 40 years, UFIC makes possible high-impact global learning experiences, increasing our students’ competitiveness on the global market and developing their skills as global citizens. Every year, UFIC helps over 2000 students study abroad at more than 70 different destinations worldwide.
UFIC supports integrative global learning through on-campus programming for students as well as professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to facilitate global learning courses and experiences.
As a major research university, UF faculty work around the global. UFIC offers programs to help faculty develop and enhance their international research activities, and provides faculty with support and advice on the challenges and opportunities of working outside the United States.
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