Campus Connection

UW-La Crosse continues to be recognized for stellar international efforts. The university ranks No. 30 nationally for students studying abroad. And UW-L has the fourth largest international student population of all colleges and universities in Wisconsin. The 2013 Open Doors Report ranked UW-L 30th in the nation with 435 students studying abroad during 2012-13 — highest of all UW System schools among master's level institutions. UW-L was above the national average in study-abroad participation with 17 percent of undergraduates studying overseas. The national average is 14 percent. Also, UW-L retains the third largest international student population (370) in the UW System after Madison and Milwaukee, and fourth in the state following Marquette University. UW-Stout was fifth overall with 275 international students, followed by UW-Eau Claire with 274. “We are proud that UW-L has maintained its place as the third largest international program in the UW System and continues to be a leader in international education in Wisconsin, as well as the U.S.,” says Jay Lokken, director of International Education. The 370 international students had an economic impact of $7.9 million in 2012-13. That is the highest among western Wisconsin colleges, says Lokken, but, more importantly, it positively influences campus. “The positive impact that UW-L's international students are having on their classes, faculty, friends, the campus, area schools and the community, as a whole, is invaluable,” he explains. “These 370 international students from more than 40 countries help ensure that UW-L is training global leaders critical for the highly competitive, global world we live in today.” Lokken credits many on campus for the university’s successful international efforts. “I am very excited and proud that UW-L continues to be one of the top four international student population programs in Wisconsin,” concludes Lokken. “It’s with a team effort of faculty, administration, staff and others that UW-L remains one of Wisconsin's premier global universities.” He says the university will continue to increase international efforts. “We are working hard together as a campus to reach our targets,” Lokken says.