Flanked by international students from Troy University on Nov. 14, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed Nov. 17 – 22 as International Education Week in Alabama.

A joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, International Education Week is an effort to expand horizons, make connections and establish mutual understanding between people in the United States and other countries. The theme of this year’s observance is “Explore,” encouraging students to explore all the opportunities international education offers.

According to the annual Department of State-funded Open Doors report, the total number of international students in the U.S. increased by 7 percent in 2023/24 to a record high of 1,126,690 students. India was the leading country of origin with 331,602 students, while China was second with 277,398. According to the report, international students contributed nearly $38 billion to the U.S. economy in 2022. Estimates place the economic impact of international education on Alabama’s economy at approximately $262 million annually.

Additionally, in 2022/23, the total number of U.S. students who studied abroad for academic credit increased by 49 percent to 280,716 students.

In her proclamation, Gov. Ivey commended Troy University, “Alabama’s International University,” for its efforts to embrace international education.

“Troy University enrolls students from around the world,” the proclamation reads. “Troy University has enabled all students to benefit from exposure to classmates from different nations and cultures, with the goal of preparing them to excel in the international marketplace that awaits them after graduation. The international students who study in our great nation return home as goodwill ambassadors for Alabama and the United States.”

Troy University’s commitment to international education is evident both through the number of international students enrolled by the university and a growing study abroad program that provides scholarship support through the Chancellor’s Award for Global Competitiveness. The awards, enabled by proceeds derived from the TROY Foundation’s TROY Car Tag program and other international travel funding, are available in $1,250.00 increments to qualified students participating in university-approved study abroad programs to foster international awareness and better assimilation of Troy University students in the worldwide workplace.

The top 10 countries with the largest student populations at TROY for fall 2024 are: China, Nepal, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Japan, France, Nigeria, Bahamas and the Republic of Korea.

International Education Week activities have gone on throughout the week at the Troy Campus and will wrap up on Thursday evening with the annual International Student Cultural Organization Festival.