Key Takeaways:
- In the 2022/23 academic year, 1,057,188 international students are studying in the United States.
- New York with around 13,500 international enrollees, Los Angeles, and Washington DC not only have excellent universities, but they also provide international students with access to various academic programs and diverse research opportunities.
- These top three cities prioritize the well-being of international students alongside academic pursuits.
- International students experience a blend of leisure, intellectual growth, and cultural immersion in these top 3 study destinations in the U.S.
The promise of top-notch education and exciting extracurricular activities has drawn thousands of international students to the United States. Forbes recently reported that in the 2022/23 academic year, 1,057,188 international students are studying in the country. These students arrive in search of knowledge and cultural experience. Among the various options, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC stand out as leading academic centers, offering not just top-notch education but also a wide range of extracurricular engagements.
The Academic Capitals
New York City is unquestionably the city that has drawn around 13,500 international students. With an astounding 63,000 recreational establishments, this city provides students with an unmatched selection of leisure and cultural discovery possibilities. Famous establishments include the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA), both of which welcome students with either free or heavily subsidized admission. In addition, the academic scene in New York City is as varied as the city’s people, with esteemed institutions like Columbia and NYU offering a platform for international education.
Los Angeles is rapidly evolving into a major academic hub, attracting nearly 6,800 international undergraduates. It provides a unique combination of cultural diversity and intellectual brilliance through esteemed institutions such as UCLA and USC. Beyond academics, LA stands as the second-most welcoming city for international students, providing an impressive 850 resources spanning testing services, guidance counseling, educational advisors, exchange programs, and evaluation services. Students here join a community that fosters and supports their international academic journey on top of receiving an education.
As the third-most-preferred study destination in the United States, Washington, D.C. which hosts over 11,000 international students, skillfully combines culture, outdoor activities, and convenient transit. Its unique blend makes it an optimal choice for students looking to pursue academic interests along with leisure. According to a CommercialSearch report, one of the city’s unique features is its public transit system, which serves 42 percent of its population, facilitating easy campus commutes. Walkability contributes to the student-friendly atmosphere, especially around Georgetown and George Washington colleges. The city gives students opportunities to participate in free, community-based organizations outside of the classroom, enhancing their overall college experience.
Recreational Delights in These Top 3 Cities
The renowned metropolis of New York City, with its tall buildings and busy streets, is much more than just a study destination. With more than 63,000 recreational enterprises, students can enjoy top-notch cultural landmarks like the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These organizations frequently offer free or heavily discounted admissions.
Renowned for its booming entertainment sector, Los Angeles provides a culturally immersive experience. International students can explore art and culture at sites such as the Getty Center and the LACMA, frequently providing free entrance and allowing exploration without financial constraints. The city also offers a wide range of recreational activities, including art galleries and scenic locales.
While not conventionally associated with nonstop fun, Washington, D.C. offers an abundance of enjoyable experiences. Topping the list with the highest number of leisure and entertainment spots among the top 10 cities, students can explore open art galleries and unwind in expansive green spaces. Engaging in free community-based organizations like outdoor fitness clubs adds a unique dimension to the student experience.
Moving Forward
In the landscape of global education, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC emerge not just as cities of academic distinction but as transformative hubs. As we move forward, these cities beckon international students to transcend the confines of classrooms and textbooks, offering a vibrant tapestry of support, cultural immersion, and intellectual exploration. Their commitment to nurturing global minds, alongside a wide array of recreational opportunities, ensures that the academic journey transcends learning into a holistic experience that shapes individuals into culturally enriched, resilient global citizens. In this forward trajectory, these cities are not only educational hubs but also crucibles where the fusion of diverse minds and experiences paves the way for a brighter, interconnected future. (RAGHWA GOPAL)
RAGHWA GOPAL
MSM CEO
Raghwa Gopal is a serial entrepreneur, academic, and software engineer by profession. Drawing from extensive business experience, Raghwa joined MSM from British Columbia’s Innovate BC, serving as president and CEO and helping companies start and scale to fuel technology development, commercialization, and adoption. As Accelerate Okanagan’s (AO) former CEO, he was a driving force in development of the tech sector, with a CA$1.6-billion economic contribution.
Raghwa studied at New Zealand’s Central Institute of Technology, Australia’s Collier MacMillan School, and the University of the South Pacific. He has strong ties to higher education as a former lecturer of business at UBC Okanagan, computer science at the School of Arts and Sciences, and entrepreneur-in-residence at Okanagan College School of Business.
His board memberships span across multiple organizations, such as the University of British Columbia, the India Canada Innovation Council, the Women’s Enterprise Centre, and the Province of British Columbia’s Emerging Economy Task Force.
Sources:
- Museum of Modern Art (2023, December 15). Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Museum-of-Modern-Art-museum-New-York-City
- Nietzel, M. T. (2023, November 13). International College Student Enrollment Roars Back In U.S. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2023/11/13/international-college-student-enrollment-roars-back-in-us/?sh=3e214b435d35
- Preston, M. (2023, December 4). Top U.S. cities for international students. CommercialSearch. Retrieved from https://www.commercialsearch.com/blog/top-cities-for-international-students-usa/
- State Facts and Figures 2023. (2023). Open Doors. Retrieved from https://opendoorsdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Open-Doors-2023-State-Sheets.pdf