Washu Students: How Many Travel Abroad?

what percentage of students at washu travel internationally

Washington University in St. Louis, or WashU, offers a variety of international opportunities for its students. The university has resources and dedicated staff to support and ensure the health and safety of students travelling internationally. In 2020, WashU was home to approximately 3,252 international students, with 549 of them being undergraduates. The university also offers international internship programs that allow students to participate in coursework and internships to gain valuable global professional experience. While the exact percentage of students at WashU who travel internationally is unclear, the university facilitates global experiences for its students and fosters a diverse community with a significant international presence.

Characteristics Values
Number of international students at WashU 3,252
Number of international undergraduate students at WashU 549
Total number of students at WashU 15,449
Total number of undergraduate students at WashU 7,653
WashU's rank among colleges for popularity with international students 63rd out of 1,279 colleges
WashU's rank among colleges for providing a quality educational experience to international students 22nd out of 1,232 colleges
WashU's rank among colleges for providing a quality educational experience to Chinese students 18th out of 842 colleges
Number of Chinese students at WashU 2,126
WashU's rank among colleges for popularity with Chinese students 32nd out of 1,079 colleges
WashU's rank among colleges for popularity with South Korean students 50th out of 967 colleges
Number of South Korean students at WashU 242
Number of countries WashU undergraduates study in each year More than 50
WashU's International Travel Oversight Committee Advisory to the provost and makes policy recommendations on overseas travel for students, faculty, and staff
WashU's Global Health and Travel Assistance Services Provides health and travel assistance to students travelling internationally

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WashU's popularity with international students

WashU, short for Washington University in St. Louis, is a popular destination for international students. In 2020, the university was home to approximately 3,252 international students out of a total of 15,449 students, with 549 of those international students being undergraduates. This places WashU as the 63rd most popular university in the US for international students, according to College Factual.

The university has a range of resources and dedicated staff to support and ensure the health and safety of international students, including an advisory International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) that makes policy recommendations on overseas travel. WashU also provides access to health and travel assistance services for international students, such as medical coverage of up to $250,000 per trip and evacuation services in case of political insecurity or natural disasters.

In terms of popularity with students from specific countries, College Factual ranks WashU as 32nd out of 1,079 colleges for popularity with students from China, with approximately 242 Chinese students enrolled in 2020. The university is also ranked 151st out of 999 colleges for popularity with students from India, with around 230 Indian students in 2020. WashU is less popular with students from Canada, ranking 634th out of 641 colleges, with an unspecified number of Canadian students.

The most popular degrees at WashU among international students are Legal Research, Business Administration & Management, and Electrical Engineering. College Factual ranks the university as providing the best value for students from Singapore, Hong Kong, and Peru.

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WashU's international internship programs

Although I could not find the exact percentage of students at WashU who travel internationally, I did find evidence of WashU's international internship programs.

International Student Research Internship Program

The International Student Research Internship Program at the WashU McKelvey School of Engineering offers internships to undergraduate students from various international universities who are in their penultimate year of bachelor's degree studies. The program provides free campus housing or a housing allowance and public transportation passes for local St. Louis travel. Selected interns will be assisted in obtaining a DS-2019 and J1 visa, although they will be responsible for the visa fees and mandatory international health insurance.

Center for the Environment Internships

The Center for the Environment internship program is open to all WashU undergraduate students and typically includes 4-5 students per semester. Interns participate in the Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change (ESCC) Internship Partnership, which provides cohort building, professional development, and enrichment training across diverse teams. Partners include the Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Program, Tyson Research Center, and the Midwest Climate Collaborative.

Institute for Informatics Summer Internships

The Institute for Informatics offers summer internships to undergraduate and graduate students from various backgrounds. Students work under the guidance of faculty mentors and research scientists, focusing on supporting and elevating biomedical informatics through research translation and practice.

Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program

The Institute for Public Health offers a summer research program that exposes undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to public or global health research in a lab or field-based setting.

ASPIRE Summer Research Opportunity

ASPIRE is an intensive summer research opportunity for undergraduates from any institution interested in clinical research. Coursework, mentored research, and professional development programming all take place on the Medical Campus.

EMERGE Program

The EMERGE program at the WashU School of Medicine is a six-week program introducing medical students to emergency care research and emergency medicine careers. Participants complete an emergency care research project under the guidance of emergency medicine faculty.

In addition to these international internship programs, WashU provides various resources and dedicated staff to ensure the health and safety of students travelling internationally. The University also has an International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) that advises the provost and makes policy recommendations on overseas travel by WashU students.

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WashU's international travel resources

International travel is a common occurrence for WashU students, faculty, and staff for a variety of reasons. The university has a comprehensive set of resources and dedicated staff to ensure the health, safety, and security of its community members while they are abroad. Here is an overview of some of the key international travel resources offered by WashU:

International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC)

The International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC) is an advisory body to the Provost that makes policy recommendations and reviews petitions for exceptions to the university's international travel policies. The committee comprises key administrators, representatives from various university offices, and faculty members. They meet at least once during the fall and spring semesters to discuss policies, procedures, and general matters related to international travel. The ITOC plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the WashU community while travelling internationally.

University-Sponsored or Supported International Travel

WashU provides guidelines and resources for individuals planning to pursue university-sponsored or supported travel to locations under its Travel Suspension Conditions. Petitions for Exception should include detailed information related to travel preparation, nature of work, international travel experience, travel logistics, accommodation, and emergency/security plans. The ITOC Executive Body reviews these petitions and works in conjunction with the respective dean's or vice chancellor's office to approve them.

MyTrips and International SOS (ISOS)

WashU utilizes MyTrips, an online international travel registry and itinerary system. All students, faculty, and staff travelling outside the United States for university purposes are required to register their trips through MyTrips. This system allows travellers to create a profile and register trip details, providing essential information that assists the university in supporting them during emergencies or crises abroad. MyTrips is provided by International SOS (ISOS), a global medical and travel security services firm. ISOS offers specialized services, including medical assistance, travel security advice, health care, and evacuation and repatriation services. They also provide pre-travel briefing emails with country-specific health and safety information.

Global Health and Travel Assistance Services

WashU offers global health and travel assistance services to its community members. Students can access these services by registering at their respective websites and using the provided WashU Group Access Code and Membership number. These services provide coverage for medical expenses, physician office visits, inpatient hospital services, emergency services, prescription drugs, and more. Additionally, political security and natural disaster evacuation services up to $100,000 are included.

Health, Security, and Safety Considerations

WashU prioritizes the health, security, and safety of its community members while they are travelling internationally. The university encourages travellers to review the Travel Suspension Conditions list prior to booking their travel to ensure they are aware of any additional preparation needed. WashU also provides resources and guidance on health, security, and safety issues, including onsite support resources and services at the destination. Group orientation prior to departure and upon arrival is also recommended to mitigate risks.

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WashU's International Travel Oversight Committee (ITOC)

The ITOC meets at least once during the fall and spring semesters to discuss international travel policies and procedures and any general matters related to international travel that may inform university practices. The ITOC Executive Body, a subset of the ITOC General Body, meets when necessary to respond to international emergencies and determine whether restrictions should be placed on travel to particular countries or regions due to circumstances such as serious health or significant security concerns.

To assess risk and make these determinations, the ITOC consults multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control, International SOS, the World Health Organization, and other sources. The committee also regularly monitors conditions and maintains a list of countries/regions under a Travel Suspension Condition for traveler review and reference. MyTrips, provided by International SOS, is an online system for registering international travel and itineraries for university faculty, staff, and students.

In addition to providing resources and support for health, safety, and ethical practices while abroad, WashU offers Global Health and Travel Assistance Services, including coverage for medical expenses and evacuation services in the event of political insecurity or natural disasters.

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WashU's international student visa data

International students at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) can find resources for international student immigration on the university's website. The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) supports international students, scholars, faculty members, research associates, postdoctoral research fellows, visiting scholars, and physicians. The OISS provides information to assist students in obtaining a visa, arriving on campus, and adjusting to life in St. Louis.

The OISS website offers guidance on the visa stamp application process and renewal for WashU students. It is important to note that if a student's visa has expired and they are travelling outside the US, they must obtain a new visa or a new visa stamp to re-enter the country. The OISS also provides information on the documents required for visa renewal, including current financial documentation, a WashU transcript, an EAD card, and proof of employment.

International students in F-1 or J-1 immigration status who wish to travel outside the US before returning to WashU should be aware of the regulations concerning their re-entry. They are responsible for informing themselves about these regulations and the enhanced national security procedures. Before re-entering the US, F-1 or J-1 visa students must have a current passport, a valid F-1 or J-1 visa stamp, and a printed paper SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid travel signature endorsed by the OISS. Additionally, printed evidence of financial resources and proof of funding per the requirements of their visa type are necessary.

WashU provides health and travel assistance services for international students. Students with enrollment dates before June 1, 2017, are covered under HTH Worldwide plan benefits and rates for the duration of their travel. Additionally, WashU membership with International SOS provides access to member travel resources.

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