The University is welcoming a large class of new international students to campus this spring.

According to Penny Gerdeman, director of International Student Admissions and Services, 128 new international students have arrived at UF for the start of the spring semester. This is compared to 34 international students at this time last year.

The total number of international students at UF is more than 465. At this time last year, 405 international students were enrolled at UF, which was an all-time record high for the spring semester.

Gerdeman expects the number of student to continue to grow in the next few weeks because students in the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) arrive at different times.

She credits many factors for the jump in this semester’s international student enrollment including:

• Exceptional processing of admission materials, inquiries and e-mails.
• Excellent relationships with agencies abroad that refer students to the United States.
• Aggressive recruiting efforts by the Office of International Student Admissions and Services and Frank Schultz, special assistant to the president/international relations, and recruiting trips abroad.
• Special attention given to students upon arrival and during their tenure at UF, and the creation of the International Welcome Houses.
• Improved retention efforts by the office and IELP, leading to improved graduation rates.
• Excellent relationships with the Saudi Mission which has resulted in approximately 30 new students from Saudi Arabia this semester.

For more information about our international student services, click here.