Record international student enrollment at W&M

by Beth Morrissey, Reves Center for International Studies | August 16, 2011

The College of William & Mary has welcomed a record 468 international students representing 51 countries to its campus for the 2011-12 academic year. There are 245 international graduate students and 223 undergraduates.

In addition, a record of 85 new, four-year, degree-seeking international students are on campus, including four international students in the first cohort of the St. Andrews William & Mary Joint Degree Program.

“Bringing international students to William & Mary is essential to building a diverse, globally-minded community,” said Stephen Sechrist, director of International Students, Scholars and Programs at the Reves Center for International Studies.

“Over the past five years we have seen our international student population double. International students bring new and diverse views to the classroom, and enrich the cultural fabric of our community. The increase in our international student population attests to the growing global relevance of the College.”

International orientations continue through freshman move-in day and new student orientation on Aug. 19. The Reves Center will also host a first-ever extended orientation program which will support international students throughout the year.

“Extended orientation is a new opportunity that will enhance student adjustment to life at the College and in the United States,” explains Emily Hogge, Study Abroad/ISSP Services Assistant at the Reves Center.

“We are excited for students to have opportunities that go beyond the short-term orientation program. We hope this will enable international students to more fully contribute to and benefit from the William & Mary community.”

The Reves Center will also run a full schedule of programs for international students during the 2011-12 academic year. Day trips to Washington, D.C., and the Blue Ridge Mountains are confirmed highlights.

For Stephen Hanson, William & Mary’s new vice provost for International Affairs, arriving at the same time as record numbers of international students is an exciting start to his position.

“The presence of students from around the globe here in Williamsburg makes a crucial contribution to preparing all William & Mary students for the increasingly globalized world of the twenty-first century,” Hanson said. “All of us at the Reves Center are simply delighted to welcome our new international students to our community!”