Of course the university with the fourth largest international population in the state would put on a good showing for International Education Week.
The Institute of International Education released on Monday its annual list of institutions with the highest number of international students. With 326 international students enrolled, Concordia University Wisconsin again came in fourth behind University of Wisconsin-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and Marquette University.
Concordia’s total contributes to the more than 13,000 international students who are studying in Wisconsin this year. Their estimated expenditure in the state is nearly $450 million, according to the IIE data.
Beyond their vast economic impact, the students bring a wealth of benefits, says Director of International Education David Birner.
“A person’s experience with a different culture allows them to expand their worldview,” says Birner. “By having students from China, Saudia Arabia, Africa, and beyond on Concordia’s campus, it gives all of us an opportunity to broaden our perspectives and cultural awareness, which ultimately benefits everyone, no matter their walk of life.”
Concordia, along with universities around the globe, celebrated these benefits and more this week during International Education Week. IEW (now in its 20th year) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Education.
Concordia’s week of celebration included daily exposure to cultural foods, crafts, and traditions. Students and employees were invited to try their hand at origami, for example, or taste some matcha-inspired snacks.
The week of festivities concluded this afternoon with an international food fair that featured cuisines from more than 40 countries. Hundreds of CUW students and employees packed the chapel hallway for the event.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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