The 2023-24 Global Review features a curated selection of articles showcasing campus internationalization efforts, along with valuable data and trends that highlight student mobility and provide updates on partnership developments.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to all who contribute to our achievements in internationalization.
HIGHLIGHTS
UC Santa Cruz Awarded Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization
Granted to only four U.S. universities and colleges annually, the award celebrates institutions that are making significant progress toward comprehensive internationalization.
News
Exploring new research frontiers with top Indian universities through joint symposium
UCSC Students explore Southern Africa’s biodiversity in faculty-led program
Bicentennial Ambassadors program advances engagement with Mexico through hybrid STEM instruction
UC Santa Cruz provides international travel support to campus community
As we reflect on the past year, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the remarkable achievements UC Santa Cruz has made in the realm of global engagement. It is with great pleasure that I present to you our Global Review, highlighting the strides we have made in advancing comprehensive internationalization.
Among our achievements, we were honored with the prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from the Association of International Educators. Meeting the challenges of today’s world requires the diversity of thought that an international perspective provides. This award is a testament to the collective efforts of UC Santa Cruz to offer students and faculty a wide range of global learning and research experiences. We have worked hard to make internationalization a part of our campus culture.
We also made significant progress in expanding our global footprint, establishing new partnerships with leading universities to enhance our research efforts, and providing students with invaluable cross-cultural exchange and learning opportunities. Our study abroad programs flourished, and we are working hard to provide integral support services to international students.
The global challenges we face require a globally engaged academic community. We remain committed to addressing today’s global challenges through groundbreaking research, creative scholarship, public service, and a student-centered learning environment.
As we celebrate our successes, we are grateful for the contributions of our campus community and international partners, and look forward to building a brighter, more inclusive, and globally connected future.
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor, UC Santa Cruz
DATA & TRENDS
International Student Services & Programs
439
Undergraduate Students
584
Graduate Students
1,023
International Students
69
Undergraduate Programs
65
Graduate Programs
Regional diversity
We continue to see a healthy showing of international undergraduate and graduate students from China and India as our first and second largest populations. Students from the Middle East–particularly Jordan, Kuwait, Israel and Armenia– have entered into the top 10 places of origin for undergraduate students. Graduate students have seen an increase in student numbers from South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey, as well as Mexico and Japan.
After graduation
The number of international students obtaining work authorization (OPT/STEM OPT/AT) to gain practical training in their major/field has jumped 30% from the previous year.
International Faculty & Scholar Services
122
J-1 Exchange
Visitors
82
H-1 B Visas
7
Permanent Residency
Cases Initiated
4
Other (TN,O)
215
International Faculty & Scholars Served
Regional diversity
We saw a modest increase in faculty and scholars from Asia and Africa.
Longer duration
The majority of faculty and scholars are invited and commit to join UC Santa Cruz for longer appointments: They typically remain for 12 or more months.
Hosting interns
We are seeing more interest in hosting student interns at UC Santa Cruz.
Global Learning
685
International Programs
76
Domestic Programs
761
Total Enrollment
17%
Students graduated with a
global learning experience
Participation growth
- Increase of 32% in total participation from AY 2022-23.
- Increase in number of students participating for one quarter (during academic year).
- Significant enrollment increases from AY 2022-23 in Global Seminars (6%), UCDC (24%), UCCS (120%).
Wide range of disciplines
- Expansion of program options has resulted in increased student participation from a range of academic disciplines.
- Top majors include: Art, Business Management Economics, Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Environmental
Studies, Film & Digital Media, Legal Studies, Politics, and Psychology.
Partnerships
3
Partnerships newly
established in AY 2023-24
8
Partnerships in development
in AY 2023-24
29
Total partnership agreements
Deepening faculty engagement
- Increased faculty engagement in partnership development through multi-disciplinary and reciprocally-organized delegation visits (Faculty Seminar Away).
- Discovery conversations among faculty become in-depth discussions (IIT-UCSC Research Symposium).
- Exploring external funding through organizations like UC Alianza, Erasmus in the EU, U.S. Embassies around the world, and others, to seed collaborations and continue enabling robust faculty engagement in partnership-building efforts.
New regions
- New opportunities for partnerships are driven by connections developed through high-level travel to India and Mexico.
- Engagement in Latin America, with partnerships in Chile (student exchange) and Argentina (Global Classrooms).