Coastal Carolina University played a leading role in establishing the Study South Carolina consortium aimed at recruiting international students. The group of educational institutions, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Association of International Educators, is devoted to promoting South Carolina as a top study destination for international students around the world. Joining CCU as founding members of the consortium are the University of South Carolina and the College of Charleston.

The goal of the newly-formed consortium, which includes nine institutions of higher education, is to combine resources and efforts to recruit talented international students to the array of diverse educational programs offered by South Carolina’s institutions. CCU has the third largest number of international students in the Palmetto State, with more than 200 students from 56 countries. The University also has student exchange programs with partners in 20 locations worldwide.

“When speaking and traveling internationally, my colleagues and I often encounter students who are aware of the ‘Carolinas’ and its location on the East Coast, but are not as familiar with the multitude of international ties among the businesses and communities within our state,” said Leisha B. DeRiso, CCU’s director of international recruitment and admissions. “By banding together in this consortium, South Carolina educational institutions have a larger voice and wider reach to tell the story of our state and showcase its benefits to an international audience. We are not competing but rather supporting one another as equal partners in the mission to offer educational opportunities to all.”

According to the Department of Commerce, students in South Carolina have access to more than 1,200 multinational companies located within the state. The companies offer internship opportunities in fields such as technology, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, automotive, and logistics.

Study South Carolina hopes to broaden the state’s international student community from around the globe. Last year, more than 6,500 international students attended a range of programs in South Carolina. A majority of the students hail from Aruba, Brazil, China, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.K.