A Global Campus
One World, One Community
Embracing globalization and all the benefits that it brings are intrinsic to our strategic priorities as an institution. We view our international students, who represent 17% of our student body, as critically important members of our community who help us understand how to embrace similarities and appreciate differences.
Among our long-term goals are to recruit international students from an ever-broader range of countries and regions, expand opportunities for engagement between domestic and international students, collaborate with international alumni to identify mentorship and networking opportunities for students, and reduce academic and socioeconomic barriers to off-campus study.
We also seek to increase opportunities to engage with our globalized home city of Lancaster, where 13% of residents are born outside the U.S.
How We Do It
17% International Students
There is a strong global presence at F&M with 17% of our students coming from countries outside of the U.S. As an international or multilingual student, you will find invaluable advocates and partners at F&M, from our specialized academic and immigration support to a rich and vibrant campus experience.
Clubs & Organizations
We celebrate – and depend upon – our diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives, and desire to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish. There are many opportunities for you to get involved and build community with our many globally oriented clubs. Active organizations on campus include the African Caribbean Association, Asian American Alliance, Hillel, Mi Gente Latina, Model UN, Muslim Students Association, F&M Action for Refugee Resettlement, and so many more. The International Student Advisory Board serves as a "home base" for programming, advocacy, and community for international and domestic students.
Joseph International Center
The heart of F&M’s global community is the Joseph International Center (JIC), a campus space dedicated to bringing the F&M community together across borders, cultures and languages. The JIC is the primary hub for off-campus study planning, international student services, and the international studies academic program. The JIC’s open, airy communal space brings the campus community together for gatherings such as weekly international coffee hours, a popular Friday afternoon opportunity to share coffee, tea and snacks.
In the Classroom
9 Languages Taught
All students have the opportunity to study a modern or classical language. Competency in a foreign language helps you develop an informed and thoughtful awareness of cultures other than your own. At F&M, you can study:
Fields of Study
The curriculum is rich with opportunities to pursue academic interests conducive to success in a globalized society. Some examples:
September 5, 2024
A Summer in D.C: Senior Eyes Career in Foreign Service
Senior Fatimata Ly spent six weeks in the nation’s capital as part of the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program. “As an aspiring U.S. foreign service officer, this program offers an excellent opportunity to gain relevant experience and education in the field,” Ly said.
July 12, 2024
Two Alumni Earn Prestigious Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Lam Tran ’21 and Munahil Sultana ’24 will begin their careers in global diplomacy this fall through the prestigious Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program.
May 1, 2024
Chilamo Taylor ’24 Forges Unique Path to Japan
How did football and fashion lead Franklin & Marshall senior Chilamo Taylor to a prestigious postgraduate fellowship in Japan? Learn more about his upcoming Princeton in Asia fellowship.
Diplomats Beyond Borders
Off-Campus Study
Off-campus study is an integral component of an F&M liberal arts education. We offer more than 170 programs in 45 countries for students looking to study abroad. By studying off campus, you can get a head start in understanding cultural differences and strengthen your ability to successfully live and work in our increasingly global society. At F&M, you'll get individualized, hands-on support to craft the most challenging and rewarding experience that is meaningfully woven into your entire academic journey.
iF&M in Bath, England
iF&M is a program during which a select group of first-years spend the fall semester living and learning in England under the guidance of an F&M faculty member. Outside the classroom, you’ll have the chance to explore London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and other awe-inspiring locations steeped in culture and history.
May 7, 2024
Student Explores Food in Italian Slow-Food Culture
Franklin & Marshall College senior Jonathan Izzo combined his twin passions for his family’s Italian heritage and for sustainable food systems to cap his academic career.
April 17, 2024
My Student Experience: 'Night at the Museum' Could Never Compare
As a double major in French and history, people ask Ruth Axford, "What are you going to do with that?" How about spending a study abroad working in a Paris museum.
May 10, 2024
International Seniors Reflect on F&M Journeys
F&M will graduate 518 seniors at Saturday’s Commencement ceremony; 85 (over 16%) of those students are international. See how they navigated starting college overseas during the pandemic.
Explore Lancaster
F&M’s extraordinary home city of Lancaster is a rich hub of arts and culture filled with experiences for every taste and preference — all within walking distance of campus. Certified as a “Welcoming City” for immigrants and refugees, Lancaster is known for its many art galleries, historical buildings, and delicious restaurants featuring food from around the world.
EXPLORE LANCASTER »