Arizona State University is seeing a significant surge in its international student population, with more than half hailing from India. The diverse and energetic South Asian country has become a prime focus for the institution's recruitment efforts, with 6,400 of ASU's 12,000 international scholars calling India their homeland, as ABC15 reported.
"We saw a thirst in their country," Matt Lopez, ASU's Deputy Vice President of Enrollment, told ABC15. "It's the largest democracy in the world. It's a country that very much appreciates and knows the power of education. It’s, a country where kind of the middle class is growing and access to dollars is growing." The university's proactive approach includes outreach that crosses continents, as representatives have recently embarked on a trip to India, engaging with potential students in nearly a dozen cities.
One ASU freshman, Kashish Bhutani, has made Tempe her new academic abode, joining the burgeoning community of international students. According to a follow-up visit by ABC15, Bhutani has embraced her transition to the American university lifestyle, "I wanted to go abroad because I wanted to know a new culture, make new friends, and have a different environment," she explained.
In her debut year, Bhutani recognized both challenges and triumphs, adapting to American pedagogies far removed from her native India. "Here, it's very practical. They make you practice a lot...Here is more fun and they have activities for you to learn," Bhutani recounted to ABC15. But ASU's commitment to international students is not just about numbers; it’s about genuine investment in their journey. "It's important for us to not only invest in them but also to show them here is who we are, we are dedicated to their success and doing it in a personal matter," added Lopez.
While ASU aims to welcome any scholar, the cost for international students remains steep at $34,398 annually, this fee envelops specialized programs and activities tailored for them. Although they can't tap into federal loans offered to domestic students, ASU provides international students with opportunities for scholarships and guides them toward lending options back home. Standing at a crossroads of cultural exchange and educational ambition, ASU continues to shape its global classroom, one student at a time.
