World on our doorstep

The University of St Andrews gathered students from over 80 different countries today (Friday 12 October 2007) in a celebration of the international flavour it brings to Fife.

A selection of overseas students from Argentina to Zimbabwe were brought together as part of the University’s Student Experience Week, a week-long series of events aimed at celebrating and quantifying the `St Andrews experience’.  Several weeks in the planning, the event involved around 40 staff from every corner of the University and thousands of students and graduates from all over the world.

Today’s special event, World on our Doorstep, aimed to capture each nationality represented at the University.  Students gathered at the town’s Madras College with members of University Court and the Provost of Fife to take part in a historic signing event.   Students each signed their name against a commemorative poster, intended to mark a snapshot in time of the University’s international development.

It was reported recently that overseas students bring in £127m to the Scottish economy each year.  St Andrews is the most international university in Scotland, with around one third of its students coming from overseas.

Director of Admissions Andrew Disbury said, “The real benefit of St Andrews having such a large group of international students is that it really does bring the world to our doorsteps, giving us the chance to experience other languages and cultures in our own surroundings.  We can also extend to thousands of students from all over the globe a true Scottish welcome, enabling them to know more about Scotland and to continue to forge business and cultural links with Scotland when they return home.”

ENDS

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]
Ref:  World on our doorstep 121007
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