UNM will sponsor a record number of new international students this fall semester.
And, in an attempt to make those new students feel welcome, University President F. Chris Garcia played host during an ice cream social at University House.
"It makes me feel special," said Loreto Catoira, a first-year doctoral student from Spain. "In my country, you don't get to meet with the president, ever."
In his first student-oriented function, Garcia individually greeted each student as they entered University House and directed to the rear reception area where ice cream was being served.
Garcia greeted more than 150 students as a long line formed outside for everyone to register and meet the president.
This year, according to figures provided by University Communications and Marketing, UNM will have 370 new international students taking courses this fall.
One hundred and fifty-two of those students are from India, while another 63 will come from China.
According to figures released by the Institute for International Education, 302,058 students came from Asia in the 2000-2001 school year. That figure represents more than 55 percent of all international students in the world.
Some of the other countries international students hail from include: Armenia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Iraq, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Russia and Sri Lanka.
As of the first week of school, international students will represent more than 50 countries.
Jennifer Gruenewald, interim director for the office International Programs and Studies, said many reasons why the University has a large amount of Asian international students exist.
"I think it's a national trend," Gruenewald said. "It's not unique to UNM."
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Gruenewald said a large portion of those Asian students pursue degrees in science, mathematics and engineering fields.
"Perhaps UNM is getting a little more recognized overseas," Gruenewald said.
UNM's reputation has helped to attract some international students.
Annop Menon, a master's degree student from India studying computer science, said UNM's popular computer science program attracted him to the United States.
Kiran Pallachulla, a doctoral candidate studying civic engineering, said India is much the same as the U.S.. Many people have bachelors, but graduate degrees can be the determining factor when applying for a job, especially one in the science or technology industries.
However, India lacks resources for major institutions that provide advanced degrees.
"There's not much funding for research there," said Pallachulla, who also is the president of the India Student Association.
About 285 of the 370 new international students attending courses this fall at UNM will be graduate students.
Education options and UNM's reputation are not the only factors drawing students to campus.
Catoira said one of the reasons she came to UNM was for the cultural and ethnic diversity offered by the American Southwest. She said the combination of Hispanic and Indian cultures are hard to find in other states.
Although international students come from a diverse background, they all require one thing when they come to the United States for the first time: help.
That is where the office of International Programs and Studies comes into play.
Each new international student needs a tremendous amount of advice on a variety of topics, Gruenewald said.
Immigration information, health insurance and academic advisement are just a few of the areas the office helps advise new students.
"We have to make sure to communicate immigration information to them," said Simona Fojtova, international advisement specialist
UNM also offers and intensive English language course for students who have lower levels of English comprehension.
Tatiana Minot, program manager for the Center for English Language and American Studies, said international students must take a comprehensive test in English before being accepted into any international program at an American educational institute.
The center is for international students who want to develop college-level skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking the English language.
