There are presently 125 international students at Carleton from Australia, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Swaziland, Taiwan, Turkey, Tibet, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vietnam.

International student life at Carleton is rich and varied (see Intl. Student Photo Galleries).

International students interact with their American peers in the dorms, in student organizations, such as Model U.N., in community service projects like Habitat for Humanity, and in the classroom.

Special cultural and social programming for international students is always open to their American friends who participate in monthly international dinners, holiday celebrations, hiking trips, and theater and musical excursions to Minneapolis/St. Paul, the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Carleton gave me an appreciation for the diversity of human endeavor: The study of music, arts, literature, and philosophy is just as important as the study of sciences or economics, and sometimes even more important. Thanks to Carleton, I can not only succeed in my career, I can also enjoy good music, distinguish between true and phony economics newspaper articles, recognize some constellations in the sky, and talk about prairies.

- Alina Badus, 2004, Romania, A PhD Candidate in Mathematics at the University of Pennsylvania

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Doing stimulating, cutting-edge, and mind-broadening (not to mention wicked fun) physics research at Carleton is probably one of the best ways to spend the summer break. I honestly can't remember any other three-month stretch when my brain had soaked up quite as much; I was in a rigorous working environment in the company of very intelligent people. If physics wasn't a significant part of my life plan before, it surely is now.

- Hans Bantilan, 2007, Philippines, A PhD Candidate in Physics at Princeton University

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While doing a term of studying abroad, I finally came to appreciate the rigorous academics here at Carleton. It struck me that Carleton professors are always well prepared for their lectures and that they demand a great deal from the students. In addition, I realized how much intellectual capital is gathered at this institution and how much every student has to offer. Indeed, one of the nation's most rigorous liberal arts education is offered here and I believe that it has definitely made me more inquisitive about myself and everything around me.

- Anthony Wong, 2005, Malaysia

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At the end of my sophomore year I went on the Carleton economics seminar in Cambridge, England. The program is designed to help you understand the historical beginnings of the Industrial Revolution with visits to many important sites; learn about the contemporary British economy; and travel in and experience Europe. My Carleton life was enriched and I had experiences that created a better context for Carleton, America, Nepal, the world, and my role as I traverse between and experience these places.

- Abhinab Basnyat, 2006, Nepal

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Willingly or unwillingly, rightly or wrongly, I have found myself advocating freedom, honestly discussing and promoting the expression of different viewpoints, relishing knowledge for its own sake, and, above all, listening. I respect difference of opinion but, at the same time, also believe in producing results that are acceptable to as many as possible through diplomatic compromises. At Carleton, I realized the necessity of such an approach, though, of course, I am still working on perfecting it.

- Sujan Rajbhandary, 2004, A PhD Candidate in Economics at Vanderbilt University

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I am really enjoying my time here at Carleton. The students are sociable and very welcoming and helpful to freshmen in particular. The professors are amazing and always ready to lend a helping hand and to form friendly, nonformal relationships with students. The social life here is great--students create their own fun and there is always something to do on campus.

- Sefalana Matambo, 2008, Botswana

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Carleton succeeds in breaking down barriers and sterotypes, bringing together people of distinct cultures in a comforable setting and letting them get to know each other through simple interaction and academic collaboration. Carleton is the perfect place for you to find your better self.

-Geoffrey Yu, 2006, Investment Banking Analyst, USB London

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Read more international voices in International Student Voices 2008 (1.2 mb pdf), written as an introduction to life at Carleton.