Global Knowledge and Engagement
“Everyone was interested in who we were. We met a lot of people from all over the world.”
Global learning takes many forms at Saint Peter’s University. Students regularly intern with the United Nations, participate in Global Outreach service trips or spend a semester or year studying abroad. International study is now more accessible to Saint Peter’s students since the University’s Center for Global Learning established new agreements in more affordable locations such as South Korea and China.
The University has also partnered with Leave UR Mark, a social enterprise that provides internships and travel opportunities to India. Open to undergraduates, graduate students and even alumni, the program enables participants of all majors to choose trips to Bangalore, Mumbai and Goa. The program now offers five $1,000 scholarships to Saint Peter’s each year; the grants were provided by the HCG Oncology Hospital in Bangalore after Dolly Basaldua ’17 spent a month-long medical internship at the facility. Basaldua, a biology and psychology major, said the internship broadened her outlook on life. “It made me realize there is so much more out there to experience,” she said.
Of course, students don’t always need to leave the Jersey City campus to gain a world view. Saint Peter’s diverse home student body, coupled with an international student population, deepens cultural understanding among the entire University community.
“Everyone was interested in who we were,” recalled Kapil Batola ’12, ’16, a former international student from Nepal. “We met a lot of people from all over the world.” Pathways to Distinction aims to intensify recruitment of international students and faculty and integrate more global perspectives into teaching, learning and research.
The Center for Global Learning
The Center for Global Learning was established in 2011 to boost study abroad opportunities and faculty-led travel courses. Last spring, students studied in Singapore and Hong Kong (Business), London (Dr. James V. Bastek Honors Program), Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam (Criminal Justice) and Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona (Fine Arts).
International Enrollment Takes Off
International student enrollment in the University’s Master of Science in Data Science with a concentration in business analytics has taken off. When the program debuted in Fall 2014, four international students enrolled. One year later, 28 international students matriculated to the fast-growing graduate program, which has more than doubled its overall enrollment.
International students account for most of the growth, said Sylvain Jaume, Ph.D., assistant professor of data science and director of the program. Digital marketing and admissions efforts abroad have also raised awareness of Saint Peter’s University.
“Saint Peter’s was ahead of the curve in anticipating the demand for data science programs,” said Dr. Jaume. “We also introduced specific areas such as big data and cloud computing that do not always feature in other [data science] programs.” The program receives daily inquiries from international students about graduate assistantships, industry partnerships and research. “It is a very competitive market,” added Dr. Jaume. “But Saint Peter’s has a lot to offer.”