Weber State welcomes nearly 400 international students this fall, setting new record

OGDEN, Utah (ABC4) — Weber State University says the school is making history, welcoming in nearly 400 international students for the new school year.

According to the university, Weber State welcomed 372 new international students, bringing the total number of international students at the school to 832.

“Most students cite affordability as a key factor, along with Utah’s reputation as a safe state, which appeals to parents,” Mary Machira, executive director of Weber State’s office of international programs and services said. “Additionally, Weber State offers a wide range of programs, providing students diverse academic options.”

According to the release, roughly half of the international students come from Nepal.

Machira says Nepali students are drawn to the university through positive word-of-mouth and the community fostered among international students, especially students from Nepal.

Sulav Chhetri, a Nepali student pursuing a master’s in education with a focus on higher education leadership, said in the release he is happy to see so many Nepali students at Weber State.

“I feel glad to see so many Nepali students coming to Utah,” he said. “Their presence kind of makes me feel that I am not very far away from home.”

Machira said having international students on campus enriches cultural experiences. She also said that having international students also broadens the horizons of students from the U.S.

“For international students, Weber State offers the prestige of studying at a U.S. university, along with access to learning experiences and extracurricular opportunities that may not be available in their countries,” Machira said.

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