Contact: Cari Vanderkar

805-756-2945; [email protected]

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly has once again earned the top ranking among master’s-level institutions for sending students abroad, according to the Institute of International Education’s statistical survey of U.S. campuses for the 2022-23 academic year. The prestigious ranking, announced Nov. 18 in celebration of International Education Week, recognizes Cal Poly as a national leader in international education and one of only four peer institutions in the state to receive the distinction in 2024. This marks the third time Cal Poly has received the designation since 2020.

“Our students continue to find international study, research and internship opportunities as integral components to their studies. These high-impact experiences not only enhance their degree programs but also are foundational for their future careers,” said Cari Vanderkar, assistant vice provost for international programs and senior international officer at Cal Poly. “This achievement is a testament to our dedicated staff, faculty, and donors who make these transformative opportunities accessible. Their support helps advance our mission to broaden access to study abroad opportunities for all Cal Poly students who wish to pursue Learn by Doing in a global context.”

Between fall 2022 and summer 2023, Cal Poly sent 1,105 students abroad to 21 countries, including multi-country programs. Cal Poly also ranked first in the nation in mid-length duration programs, third in long-term programs and fifth in short-term programs. Since 2000, Cal Poly has consistently ranked as a top sender in the nation among master’s-level universities for internationally bound students. The complete report is available through the Institution for International Education in their 2024 Open Doors Report.

International Education Week (IEW), held annually in mid-November, celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education highlights the vital role of international education in preparing Americans for a more connected world and fostering collaboration with tomorrow’s global leaders.

Cal Poly celebrated International Education Week with a host of events highlighting the value of global engagement. The week’s activities provided opportunities for the campus community to explore international perspectives and participate in educational and cultural programming. More information is available on the International Center website.

Cal Poly’s vision for internationalization is to provide foundational experiential learning, teaching, service and scholarship opportunities at home and abroad that will best equip graduates and the campus community at large to solve complex global challenges sustainably, ethically and inclusively.

The Institute of International Education is the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organization in the U.S. It has conducted the Open Doors Report annual survey since 1919 and has since the early 1970s been aided by support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Open Doors surveys about 2,000 U.S. universities and colleges with study abroad programs. Cal Poly was recognized for completing the Open Doors Survey for the past 75 years and received a “Seal of Excellence” from IIE.

About Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 top-tier students come to Cal Poly to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in areas such as engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on approach, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from Day One to impact their communities, California and the world. www.calpoly.edu

About the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs builds relations between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, professional and private exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships and mentoring programs. These exchange programs improve foreign relations and strengthen U.S. national security, support U.S. international leadership, and provide a broad range of domestic benefits by helping break down barriers that often divide us. ECA sponsors the flagship Fulbright Program, the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships for U.S. undergraduates with financial need, the Critical Language Scholarship Program in support of U.S. foreign language study abroad, and the EducationUSA network of more than 400 advising centers worldwide. eca.state.gov

Top Photo:

Between fall 2022 and summer 2023, Cal Poly sent 1,105 students abroad to 21 countries, including multi-country programs. Cal Poly also ranked first in the nation in mid-length duration programs, third in long-term programs and fifth in short-term programs, according to the  the Institution for International Education in its 2024 Open Doors Report.

Cal Poly Photo