They come from India, China and Vietnam, Ghana and Uganda, Spain and Sweden, Paraguay and Peru, and 25 other countries—including Kazakhstan and Mongolia—from around the globe. They're the 330 international students who are at Adelphi continuing their education in our master's degree or PhD programs.
“International students choose Adelphi University for its exceptional academic programs, prime location and unique opportunities for professional and personal growth,” said Wendy Badala, MA ’20, executive director of International Services. “As a highly ranked research university, Adelphi offers over 70 advanced degree programs across a wide range of disciplines, ensuring students receive a strong academic foundation.”
Adelphi’s continued ability to attract a large number of international graduate students hinges not only on the quality of the University’s programs in high-demand areas. It is built on the personalized support provided to students, everything from immigration guidance, access to academic and cocurricular programs, and opportunities for growth in their careers.
A home for international graduate students from 34 countries
Among Adelphi’s international graduate population, 316 students are pursuing their master’s degrees and 14 are pursuing their PhDs. The doctoral students are all studying social sciences, with most working on their Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, while the majority of master’s degree students can be found in business and management and computer science. Business analytics and computer science, in particular, are popular programs; both are among Adelphi’s 11 STEM-designated master’s degree programs.
Muneera Chowdhury, from Bangladesh, chose Adelphi’s MS in Computer Science program for its accomplished professors and small class sizes. Before applying, she was also able to speak to a few Bengali students currently attending Adelphi who shared their positive experiences.
“My college in Bangladesh had bigger classes—80 people, a lot more than Adelphi,” said Chowdhury, who is focusing on cybersecurity, one of the three specializations offered in the master’s program. “As time went by, I realized that smaller classrooms are great for interaction and I learn better in those environments. A small classroom means the teacher gets to give each student more personalized attention.”
Chowdhury also appreciates that Adelphi professors and classes prioritize critical thinking. “They give you a topic and you get to find your own way to a solution rather than follow a strict structure,” she said. “That is something we are not used to in my country. Here, we get the freedom of choosing our own path.”
Joacim Carhed, a student in the MS in Business Analytics program, is also a defender on the Adelphi soccer team.
Forging his own path to Adelphi, Joacim Carhed ’24 came from Sweden to play soccer and study business.
“I had never thought about going to college in the U.S. at all until my soccer agent recommended that I play at a college showcase in Gothenburg,” he said. “After playing, I was approached by the Adelphi men’s soccer coach, and I saw the great opportunity to combine sports with education. After that, I decided to pursue my college career.”
Having earned his bachelor’s degree in business management at Adelphi, Carhed is now pursuing his MS in Business Analytics.
“I decided to study business analytics [because of] the trend in today’s workplace, where coding and analytics are becoming increasingly important,” Carhed said. “The graduate program at Adelphi is also a STEM-designated program, which gives international students three years of work authorization on a student visa after graduation.”
Adelphi also serves as a hub for international students who want to live just a short train ride away from all that New York City has to offer. As Badala said, “Adelphi provides unparalleled access to professional internships, cultural experiences and networking opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.”
Meeting challenges with personalized support
Building a career and pursuing an advanced education is a huge undertaking, and doing so in a foreign country only adds to the challenges of adapting to unfamiliar cultural norms, navigating visa regulations and creating a new social community.
That’s why Adelphi offers a range of resources to support international students academically, personally and professionally. As Chowdhury said, “Adelphi tries to help international students in every way they can.”
International Services, for example, provides students with professional mentoring to guide them through their first year of study. It also helps students integrate into campus life and builds a cross-cultural community with regular events.
“When I came to the U.S. with another language, no car and my parents being on the other side of the planet, things were just very different to what I was used to,” Carhed said. “Being part of the soccer team with so many international students really helped me. There were so many other international students that had gone through the same situation.”
Having experienced this situation firsthand, Chowdhury is now working as a graduate assistant for first-semester international master’s degree students in the computer science program.
“I collaborate with professors to support students with their studies and helping connect them with academic resources available at the University,” she explained. “It’s a new position, so I have been documenting the strategies and practices that yielded successful outcomes, as well as those that require modification. The goal is to create a comprehensive guideline for future individuals who take on this role, ensuring a smoother transition and sustained effectiveness in supporting international students.”
International students also receive support from the Graduate Student Council, a student-led leadership group that advocates for the graduate Adelphi community. As a research-oriented institution, Adelphi also provides international students with opportunities to apply for workshops and professional development programs and to take advantage of initiatives like the Scholarship and Creative Works Conference, where they can present their academic achievements and take the next step in their careers.
As Badala said, “These resources, along with the personalized support of International Services, demonstrate Adelphi’s commitment to fostering student success in every aspect of their academic journey.”