From hosting the 2002 Olympic Winter Games—and soon-to-be 2034 Olympics—to boasting billions of dollars in exported goods, Utah has a reputation for being globally minded. As the state aims to continue its trajectory of economic growth, international students at the University of Utah may play an increasingly vital role in expanding the Beehive State’s worldwide impact.

“As the state’s flagship university, we are deeply invested in the success of our students and our state,” U President Taylor Randall said. “We recognize the rich cultural ties many of our students and community members develop during their lives as they spend time abroad, and we believe it is equally beneficial to welcome international students to our home as well.”

Global connections are a key part of Utah’s economy. In 2024, Utah’s international exports sat at $18.2 billion, playing a significant role in Utah’s financial landscape, according to a recent report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Through exports, Utah gained some $8 billion in gross domestic product and supported more than 70,000 jobs—2.9% of total employment in Utah.

Simultaneously, international businesses like Adobe, Qualtrix, eBay and Northrop Grumman have established or expanded their headquarters here, drawn by the Beehive state’s potential and growth opportunities. With more than 120 spoken languages and more than 15% of residents speaking a language other than English at home, Utah has a distinctive landscape that facilitates cross-cultural collaboration.

At the U, some 3,800 international students from China, India, Vietnam, Mongolia, Bangladesh and beyond bring essential insights and perspectives to the classroom to foster valuable collaborations in learning and research. The students are often drawn by Utah’s reputation for being a safe place to live and the U’s reputation for its world-renowned programs, like Games and Computer Engineering. The U’s Price College of Engineering draws the most international students, followed by the David Eccles School of Business.

Many students who attend the U on a student visa and study a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) subject can receive a three-year extension on their visa after they graduate so they can become employed in the U.S. Through this process, the U is one of the largest placers of international graduates in computer science in the nation, retaining some of the world’s top talent to help advance technology in the U.S. If students don’t end up working in the U.S. after they graduate, they still create a pipeline of familiarity between Utah and their home country for others who may also consider attending the U.

International students also impact members of the community who have never left the U.S. They contribute to the local economy by paying for housing and food, including specialty markets that stock niche imported goods. Through interacting with people from across the world, U students can gain insight into other cultures, build connections that could lead to expanded career or business opportunities and better understand how they can improve their impact for good.

“As we look at ways to serve our community, we recognize the invaluable contributions of our international students, scholars and researchers,” said Executive Vice President for Health Sciences Bob Carter. “Learning new perspectives improves our ability to care for patients from different walks of life. This helps us deliver more culturally informed care and accelerate research collaborations that can better address global health challenges.”

The Office for Global Engagement is working with current and prospective international students to navigate visa challenges that may impact enrollment. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State revoked visas from 22 undergraduate and graduate students at the U, then later reinstated all of them. During that time, four students left the U and returned to their home countries.

In May, at a time when International Student and Scholar Services staff at the U help some 800 incoming undergraduate and graduate students navigate the visa interview process at consular offices in their home countries, all new interviews were temporarily suspended. The pause was lifted on June 18. Interruptions to the visa application process could have impacts on enrollment if students shift their plans because of uncertainty. Because international students pay the full cost of tuition plus fees, losing students would have a financial impact on the U as well as take a toll on efforts to enhance viewpoint diversity on campus.

“International interest in the U is a testament to the quality of the training and education we provide,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mitzi Montoya. “These students are the best and brightest from their countries. They bring valuable global insights that enrich our classrooms, enhance our research and strengthen our role as a world-class institution of discovery and learning.”