Welcome, International Wolf 🐺

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Our Mission

At the Office of International Education and Development, our mission is to advance the ideals of internationalization throughout the Western Oregon University campus. We are committed to fostering intercultural communication and understanding among students, faculty, and staff. Our primary goals are to support and enrich the academic, cultural, and social experiences of international students at Western Oregon University.

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Our Objectives

Promoting Globalization and Diversity
Providing Comprehensive Support
Collaborating with International Institutions
Assisting Personal and Academic Growth
Continuous Improvement
Commitment to Best Practices

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Announcement

International Master’s Degree Applicants at WOU:

None of WOU’s graduate programs will be available to international students until further notice. This restriction is due to immigration regulations governing in-person attendance hours. For more detailed information, please do not hesitate to contact us at global@mail.wou.edu

What is WOU like?

At WOU, you’ll have access to a high-quality education, as well as research, entrepreneurial and other valuable opportunities. Learn more about what WOU has to offer international students.

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International Hub

TOP 5 MAJORS

EDUCATION

PSYCHOLOGY

BUSINESS

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

EXERCISE SCIENCE

ABOUT WOU

Total Enrollment

Average Class Size

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Required GPA

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Acceptance Rate

International students are an important part of the WOU community bringing a diversity of nationalities, cultures, and languages. We are here to support the academic success of these students and the faculty who instruct them.

As a part of the OIED office, we organize and promote programs that encourage academic advancement and social integration for international students; provide individualized support and general reference information for international students and instructors; and promote long-term sustainability of international student programs through continual improvement to students’ academic support and involvement on campus.

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of students are assigned multiple advisers devoted to guiding them through their four years at WOU

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of students who apply to WOU are selected for admission

student clubs and organizations are waiting to welcome you in

NCAA Division II student-athletes want to see you in the stands, cheering for the Wolves

SUCCESS STORIES

Adeshina Oladiti

Major: Information Systems
Minor: N/A
Hometown: Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Language: Yoruba (Yorùbá)

Attending university in the US has been an exciting journey, primarily due to the opportunity to immerse in a completely different culture. Initially, the biggest worry was being away from family, but finding a supportive community alleviated that concern. Adapting to a new culture and environment posed a challenge at first, but it became thrilling once stepping out of the comfort zone. Utilizing various university resources, such as advisors, the Student Learning and Career Development Center, and the Writing Center, has been essential for academic success. Additionally, the experience has helped develop communication and technical skills, particularly through working with University Computing Services.

Fan Wang

Major: Art
Minor: N/A
Hometown: Wu Han, China
Language: Chinese

Attending university in the US has been an exciting and transformative experience, particularly at Western Oregon University (WOU). The most thrilling aspect has been the supportive and encouraging community, which boosted my confidence and ability to express myself. Before arriving, I was most concerned about adapting to a new culture and securing suitable housing, but these worries were soon alleviated. The most challenging part was overcoming the language barrier, yet with the assistance of professors, friends, and university resources like the writing center and Conversation Partners program, my English skills improved rapidly. These resources also helped me succeed academically and integrate into the local community. Throughout my time at WOU, I developed independence and gained valuable work experience through on-campus employment. To new international students, I advise dedicating significant effort to learning English, as it opens many doors. My overall experience at WOU can be summarized in three words: warmth, tolerance, and freedom.

Wenting Xie

Major: Compute Science
Minor: Entrepreneurship
Hometown: Shandong Providence, China
Language: Chinese

Attending university in the US has been an exhilarating journey of cultural immersion, English language practice, and professional growth at Western Oregon University (WOU). Before arriving, my greatest concern was the language barrier and my ability to understand others. The transition proved challenging with a heavy workload of daily assignments and difficulty comprehending professors during lectures. However, WOU’s resources such as professors’ office hours, tutoring services, and the writing center have been crucial in my academic success. As a student, I’ve developed invaluable skills in cross-cultural communication, learning to navigate and appreciate diverse backgrounds. For new international students, I recommend thoroughly researching the university beforehand and actively engaging in English communication. My experience at WOU can best be described as necessary, worth it, and filled with happiness. An interesting aspect about me is that I spend every American holiday with a local family, which I find enriching, and I also work on campus to support myself financially.