Boston College’s international student and faculty population has reached its highest point yet, according to figures recently released by the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). Following six years of continuous growth, the international population-including matriculated and exchange students, graduate students, those in training programs, and faculty and research scholars, along with any associated dependents-has reached nearly 2,000 for the 2013-14 academic year, a 16 percent increase over the 2012-13 academic year.
NEWS: International Population Rises At BC
The growing number of international students at BC is encouraging for a number of reasons. A continual increase in foreign students, faculty, and staff who come to BC-at a rate outpacing the national trend-is indicative of the University’s growing prestige abroad and the respect that BC’s academics and research garner. It is also heartening that BC is increasing its connections with other countries-one of the ways in which universities can expand the breadth and depth of their students’ experiences is to welcome and engage with other cultures. Drawing faculty and scholars from other nations also expands the pool of knowledge upon which the University can draw, helping to keep its curricula and research relevant.
By expanding its representation of other nations, BC is also developing a broader network of alumni and colleagues both in the U.S. and abroad-a trend that can only benefit the University going forward. To further this goal, the University must ensure that the OISS’ resources expand as needed so that it can continue to support BC’s international population, as it continues to grow.
