Plenty to Celebrate for UC as Chinese New Year Approaches

Many Bearcats are eagerly anticipating the arrival of a goat – as in Year of the Goat.

Feb. 19 will mark the Chinese New Year holiday, and the Chinese zodiac indicates 2015 is the Year of the Goat.

The holiday, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is traditionally a time of great celebration. And at the University of Cincinnati, there's a lot to be excited about, especially from an international perspective.

Overall,

UC is home to more than 3,600 international students

, including more than 1,000 undergraduate students – record highs in international enrollment for UC. Chinese students make up a large and rapidly growing segment of that international student population.

Jon Weller, Director of the Office of International Admissions, reports that

UC has doubled the enrollment of Chinese students in only four years

– from 534 in 2010 to 1,124 in 2014. UC has been expanding recruitment efforts globally to recruit the best and brightest undergrads from around the world, Weller says, and the university opened a new recruitment office in Beijing in October to assist in that effort.

These international enrollment gains help advance UC's efforts to re-imagine the student experience through enhanced diversity as outlined in the

Creating Our Third Century

initiative.

Here's a list of events and accomplishments to celebrate this new year:

Celebrate the Lunar New Year in Langsam Library

The Feb. 13 event will include refreshments, entertainment, games and music.

Full Co-op Placement Achieved by Chongqing University Joint Co-op Institute

Chongqing University Joint Co-op Institute achieved full placement for its first class of engineering co-op students.

A Welcome Sight: UC Makes Big Gains on International Student Survey Ranking

High scores for arrival activities and other improvements help UC jump into the top 40 worldwide in a new survey of international students.

UC Alums Pack Sessions with Provost in Hong Kong, Taiwan

Hundreds of UC alumni welcomed an official delegation during a visit that highlighted strong connections across continents and powerful potential for the future.

In-Country Assistance for Students and Families

UC has full-time admissions staff members who can provide assistance and guidance through the enrollment process. There are staffers in Beijing, China; Mumbai, India; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.