Following a successful International Education Week celebration, the University of Florida International Center (UFIC) proudly announces that UF has been ranked 6th among doctoral-granting universities in the United States for sending students abroad, according to the Open Doors 2024 Report on International Educational Exchange.
The Open Doors Report revealed a significant increase in the number of U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit, with 280,716 participants—a testament to the rebound in global engagement following the pandemic.
During the 2022-2023 academic year (covered period for Open Doors 2024), the University of Florida saw 2,904 students participate in study abroad programs, marking an impressive 32% growth compared to the previous year. The most popular destinations among students included Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Leading the way in participation were the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Warrington College of Business, and the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.
For over 40 years, UFIC has championed high-impact global learning experiences, empowering students to develop critical skills as global citizens and enhancing their competitiveness in the international job market. The Study Abroad Services unit, which oversees all aspects of UF’s education abroad programs, continues to play a pivotal role in this effort. "Education abroad experiences add enormous value to a college degree by setting our students apart from competing job applicants," said Seth Parrish, Director of Study Abroad Services, "UFIC strives to create a culture where all students will engage internationally and study abroad is a core element in our strategy to internationalize the UF campus."
The Institute of International Education (IIE) and Open Doors® have recognized UF’s longstanding commitment to international education. As a consistent contributor to the Open Doors report since its inception in 1949, UF was honored with the Open Doors 75 Seal of Excellence to commemorate this milestone achievement.
“I am very proud of our Study Abroad team for helping UFIC achieve our strategic goal of radically increasing study abroad capacity while also implementing innovative programs and policies,” said Marta L. Wayne, Dean of the International Center and Associate Provost. “These efforts ensure that we continue to provide our students with transformative and high-quality global opportunities,” Wayne added.
The Open Doors® Report, published annually by the IIE in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, serves as a benchmark for measuring international educational exchange. For more information or to explore the Open Doors data portal, visit https://opendoorsdata.org/data/us-study-abroad/leading-institutions-by-study-abroad-total/
To learn about UF Study Abroad, visit https://www.internationalcenter.ufl.edu/study-abroad