Nearly 6,000 international students were enrolled in USF as of fall 2020.
Courtesy of USF
By Aubrey Carr
For the first time in its history, USF is deemed Florida’s top institution for international students, cementing the university as a leader in global diversity and inclusion.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Institute of International Education’s 2021 Open Doors International Educational Exchange report, USF ranked No. 1 among Florida universities for international student enrollment.
Additionally, USF was ranked No. 19 among U.S. public universities and No. 28 among U.S. public and private universities.
As of last fall, USF enrolled 5,974 international students, hailing from more than 140 countries.
USF’s global diversity fosters a symbiotic relationship with the State of Florida by bringing stability to the Florida economy.
International students at USF Tampa campus contribute $116.5 million to the state’s finances and support more than 1,340 jobs, according to a 2020 economic report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
The International student ranking comes on the heels of St. Petersburg’s increase in minority student enrollment.
According to USF InfoCenter, Asian, Hispanic, Black and students of two or more races accounted for 24% of total first-time-in-college (FTIC) student enrollment for the combined fall and summer 2021 semesters.
Although the figures are impressive, it is important to note that 66% of FTIC students within those ethnic categories were redirected to St. Petersburg from their original choice of the Tampa campus.
“USF’s commitment to global engagement, with its diverse and robust representation of international students among the student body, is a point of pride for the USF community,” USF Interim President Rhea Law said in a press release.
“International students expand the global diversity of USF’s campus culture, exposing students to different perspectives and cultures in the classroom and cocurricular activities and preparing them to be citizens in a globalized economy,” Law said.
“I chose USF because the university is a place where diversity is celebrated and students receive an excellent education that prepares us for career success,” said Fernanda Albanus, a USF Tampa campus student from Brazil.
“From the beginning, I was welcomed and supported. USF is a community that understands the importance of globalization to student success in the classroom and in the workforce,” she said.
Albanus’ sentiments are mirrored by St. Petersburg Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock.
“USF is an incredible destination for international students. We are an internationally ranked university that values diversity situated in an attractive geographic region,” Tadlock said.
Tadlock was unsurprised by USF’s standing, praising the amenities offered to international students at the St. Petersburg campus.
“We have high levels of support for international students as well, and we are affordable. International students who come to this campus get all of that plus the bonus of being embedded in an inviting, walkable downtown,” he said.
“I look forward to seeing our international population in St. Petersburg continue to grow as they discover this campus,” Tadlock said.
