Today, in total, there are more than 1,400 international students on our campus.

The number for international student enrollment that was given in a Kernel article on Wednesday, Nov. 17, and again on Monday, Nov. 22, was misleading. Both pieces indicated that there are currently 358 international students enrolled at UK. In fact, that number reflects only undergraduate students. International student enrollment at UK is higher than it has been in eight years, and numerous other international initiatives are growing by leaps and bounds, as well.

For instance, the international studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences has been overwhelmingly successful among UK undergraduates, with 361 majors and 25 minors in only its fourth year on campus. The Global Dynamics piece of UK’s new General Education program will ultimately touch every undergraduate at UK, with a course solely devoted to global citizenship. And Education Abroad at UK projects an increase of more than 20 percent in applications next semester, as compared to last spring, and expects many more students to study abroad next summer than in previous years.

This summer, UK was chosen as one of five U.S. schools to update the structure and curriculum of higher education in Iraq through the Iraq University Linkages Program. UK is involved in the Iraq Education Initiative as well, which will send several thousand students per year over the next five years to the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia to complete their higher education studies. UK’s first Iraqi students arrived in August.  These partnerships both demonstrate UK’s global profile and enhance our on-campus international conversations.

Most recently, UK joined universities from around the nation and the world to host a Confucius Institute, which will provide central Kentuckians, as well as UK students, faculty and staff, the opportunity for a greater understanding of China through community classes, teacher preparation courses and events and services for the public.

Many faculty, staff and students at UK are working continually to broaden opportunities for increased participation and connectivity around the world. For more examples of the many ways we See Blue globally, visit www.uky.edu/intlaffairs or simply search the word “international” on the UK homepage.

Susan Carvalho

Associate Provost for International Programs