Global Perspectives

Foster stronger global perspectives and connections.

We recognize the critical importance of the expanded flow of information and cultural perspectives that know no boundaries. We will increase our global connections at all levels – students, faculty and staff – and across all of our programs. As an integral part of that strategy, we will work to expand our international reputation for academic excellence so that we can forge stronger and more effective global partnerships. W&M enrolls students from more than 75 countries. Among all public universities, W&M ranks second in terms of percentage of undergraduates studying abroad, and more than 50 percent of our undergraduates participate in study abroad or institutionally supported international research. On every continent, W&M is engaged in collaborative research, innovative teaching and community engagement to promote understanding and to solve problems. We will do even more in each of those areas.

Goal 1

Advance the global engagement and reputation of the university.

Establish and sustain signature international research partnerships on each continent.

Goal 2

Open doors of opportunity for W&M students and faculty to participate in global learning, research and service at home and abroad.

Increase opportunities for student global experiences with the goal of providing 60 percent of W&M undergraduate students a study-abroad experience prior to graduation.
Expand programs through the Washington Center in Washington, D.C. as a point of communication with the nation and the broader world to reach more students and take even greater advantage of domestic and international policy opportunities, including those in international aid.

Goal 3

Support the dynamic W&M community of international students, scholars and staff.

Sustain an international student community of no fewer than 600 students each year, with at least 60 countries represented, and provide expanded support for them.

Goal 4

Ensure effective administration and sustainability of W&M's international activities.

Progress & Results

William & Mary received a 2016 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization. The award recognizes colleges and universities that are making significant, well-planned, well-executed and well-documented progress toward comprehensive internationalization. More...
The Confucius Institute, a collaborative program in partnership with Beijing Normal University and the Office of Chinese Language Council International, will work with W&M to offer Chinese language and culture courses, provide teacher training and support study abroad. More...
The first phase of the Georgian Papers Programme – roughly 33,000 digitized documents, including some penned by King George III regarding the American Revolution – are publicly released and accessible at no cost. More...
As telecommunications, trade and travel close the distances between peoples and cultures, "think global" has become the byword of recent decades. W&M is going one step further, weaving international and cross-cultural perspectives into academic study throughout the liberal arts education. More...
When Daria Grastara '17 arrived at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., she was surprised that the Presidential Precinct gave her free rein to document, through tweets and Instagram posts, the next six hours of its global affairs event, which included a visit from Prince Charles. More...