Florida Atlantic: Global Advantage

International students have a significant impact on the institutions they attend. And at Florida Atlantic University, the investment in recruitment and support for these students has provided positive results for its campuses and its region.

As one of the most diverse public universities in the nation, Florida Atlantic serves students from more than 110 countries around the world. International and domestic students benefit from this multicultural community by gaining exposure to a wide variety of perspectives, ideas, traditions and approaches. In a globalized economy, where businesses and organizations operate across national borders, graduates of Florida Atlantic gain social and educational advantages that bolster professional success.

The South Florida community benefits from these students, as well. The National Association for Foreign Student Affairs reported that Florida Atlantic’s international student enrollment had a $36.3 million economic impact in the state in 2022-23. Additionally, the University’s international enrollment created 323 jobs supporting regional growth in major industries such as education, retail, transportation and telecommunications.

In recent years, Florida Atlantic has seen a consistent uptick in international student enrollment — with a 105% increase from spring 2022 to spring 2024 alone. And while it’s not uncommon for students from around the world to pursue education in the United States, their decision to attend Florida Atlantic is driven by a strategically important initiative of the university: student success.

Florida Atlantic’s Center for Global Engagement was created to advance the University’s international student strategies. In this centralized area, students, alumni, faculty and staff benefit from the holistic support of departments including Global Academic Services, International Student Services (ISS), International Enrollment Services, the Intensive English Institute and FAU Education Abroad.

“The Center for Global Engagement has become an epicenter for international student success while adding tremendous value to the University,” said Mihaela Metianu, Ed.D., assistant provost for global engagement. “Its growth has not only allowed us to recruit more students, but also to support them throughout their academic journeys toward degree completion and career attainment.”

Understanding the hurdles that international students tend to face during the application and enrollment stage, staff members in the Center for Global Engagement take a dynamic, multi-pronged approach to educating students and their families. From academic eligibility to visa approval, this communication begins early and occurs regularly to ensure a smooth progression for all involved.

To provide a personal touch, the center hosts nearly 100 events for new and current students each year, as well as more than 40 international events for potential and admitted students in top enrollment locations such as India and Bangladesh. In addition to these in-person opportunities, students receive comprehensive support from dedicated staff members who offer guidance during and after the enrollment process.

“The most challenging part of being an international student was the initial transition to a new country,” said Shaik Mohammed Kashif, a graduate student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “Thankfully, FAU has a supportive environment for international students, which was crucial to me as I transitioned from Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India to the United States.”

As a result of the University’s enhanced strategies, including cross-departmental services, Florida Atlantic’s international enrollment has grown to include more than 2,000 students. Additionally, with the increasing levels of support available through the Center for Global Engagement, there are more opportunities than ever for international students to achieve their academic and career goals.

Despite challenges such as language barriers and adapting to new teaching methods, international students excel at Florida Atlantic.

“My greatest achievement so far is having a 4.0 GPA for both semesters of my freshman year,” said Charlotte Perkins, an undergraduate student in the College of Education and a member of the women’s golf team, from Sydney, Australia. “The ability to earn a high-level degree and play collegiate golf is not an option in my country, so it’s amazing to be able to fulfill my dreams and aspirations at FAU.”

To prepare international students for rigorous coursework at Florida Atlantic, the University offers workshops on communication, plagiarism and academic readiness before they begin classes. The Intensive English Institute also provides language instruction for non-English speakers, which helps students develop both language proficiency and cultural competency. Moreover, students have access to an array of tutoring services in all subjects through the Center for Teaching and Learning.

“Before starting my master’s program, I joined FAU’s Intensive English Institute to enhance my language skills, which has equipped me with the confidence to attend classes in English,” said Gonzalo Vivian, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, from Córdoba, Argentina. “The resources at Florida Atlantic have significantly contributed to my academic success and career readiness, and the curriculum and faculty mentorship have provided me with essential skills and knowledge in my field.”

Throughout their studies, international students are guided toward success with virtual or in-person advising from ISS. These sessions are offered in addition to the academic advising appointments by University Advising Services and each college.

“FAU is preparing us very well for success as students and for success in our careers,” Perkins said. “With the help of our advisors and other faculty, we are always supported and know who to go to if we need any help.”

Across the University, members of the faculty and staff also partake in training opportunities that enhance their ability to support international students in academic and professional endeavors. Combined, these resources ensure a holistic and accessible path to achievement that instills confidence in current and future students.

Future career outcomes understandably weigh heavily on international students’ minds during the decision-making process. Market research firms and publishers with a pulse on the global education sector such as ICEF Monitor, Etio and QS Insights Magazine have identified employability as a top priority for university selection, along with additional considerations for degree value in a global market. These sentiments also are consistent among Florida Atlantic’s students.

“Career services and career outcomes were extremely important to me as an international student,” Kashif said. “I chose to attend Florida Atlantic University because of its strong emphasis on practical learning and opportunities for experience through internships and projects.”

Given the importance of professional readiness, the Center for Global Engagement has developed a strong partnership with the FAU Career Center to promote international student success. While all Career Center staff members are trained to provide effective career guidance to international students, the center also has a dedicated liaison who works directly with the Office of International Students to ensure quality and continuity across departments.

“As a former international student who navigated the complex path of becoming a proud U.S. citizen, starting with the F-1 visa, I empathize with international students and can provide firsthand advice on successfully launching a professional career in the U.S.,” said Cristina López, director of experiential learning and internships.

With an F-1 visa, students may enter the U.S. to study full time at an accredited institution. During their first academic year, F-1 students may only work on campus and may be subject to certain requirements and restrictions. After their first academic year, they are eligible for three types of off-campus employment: curricular practical training (CPT), optional practical training (OPT) and a STEM optional practical training extension. It is imperative that F-1 students maintain their visa status throughout their enrollment to remain in the country and their program, and to qualify for employment.

“International students come from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and it is our responsibility as university officials to understand and support them as they navigate the educational and employment systems in the U.S.,” said Mariana Carrasquel, assistant director of experiential learning and internships, and Career Center liaison to ISS.

As such, before each new cohort of international students arrives at Florida Atlantic, the Career Center and ISS deliver a series of workshops to encourage student employment and impart vital career resources. Staff members also check in with students at the completion of their first semester to deliver guidance on career planning and job opportunities. Additionally, the Career Center and Center for Global Engagement host CPT and OPT workshops each semester, providing tailored career plans and information about the necessary policies and regulations that international students must follow to secure employment.

“A significant difficulty of being an F-1 international student is finding a full-time job or internship due to work permit restrictions,” Vivian said. “However, FAU’s supportive environment and resources are invaluable in navigating these challenges and have helped me secure a graduate assistantship working with data analytics.”

At Florida Atlantic, international students may enroll in either a for-credit or non-credit professional internship course, which fulfills CPT requirements. The Career Center assists by providing step-by-step instructions to register for the course and complete the CPT application. Typically, international students at Florida Atlantic complete two off-campus internships with the CPT before earning their degree. Upon graduation, most students seek full-time employment with the OPT opportunity. At University career fairs, the Career Center staff helps international students streamline their efforts by clearly identifying which organizations offer CPT and OPT opportunities.

“During my time as a student, the Career Center assisted me with my resume, and I attended multiple career fairs where I met with many great companies,” said Didem Killic Senay of Istanbul, Turkey, who earned a professional MBA from Florida Atlantic’s College of Business in 2023. “This support was instrumental in helping me secure on-campus positions as a graduate student worker, several off-campus internships and my current OPT employment as an executive specialist at Wells Fargo Advisors.”

From 2023 to 2024, the Career Center helped international students secure CPT internships with more than 160 employers in a range of industries, including finance, engineering, health care and technology. Additionally, international student graduates gained OPT positions with 225 employers, including Amazon, Citrix Systems, Tesla and the National Institute on Aging.

Success is a standard outcome for international students at Florida Atlantic, and it is propelled by highly effective strategies and support systems. While focused recruitment efforts have increased global enrollment overall, the University’s emphasis on academic and career excellence is what ultimately ensures that international students complete their degrees and attain strong job outcomes. As these initiatives continue to attract a diverse set of exceptional students, Florida Atlantic remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming lives through education, both locally and globally.