b'EXCHANGE VISITOR SERVICESCREATING A WELCOMING SETTING TO ADVANCE UFS RESEARCH AND TEACHING COLLABORATIONS WORLDWIDEThe Exchange Visitor Services Unit has been diligently enhancing its outreach efforts to encourage departments to host J-1 visa holders, while strictly adhering to regulations. The J-1 categories included in the program are professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, student interns, and degree and non-degree-seeking students.By fostering parterships and promoting incentives, our J-1 program aims to broaden international exchange opportunities within our academic community. Our collaborative approach extends beyond our immediate scope, actively cultivating relationships with associated units to promote internationalization and intercultural development across our institution.For the Academic Year 2023-2024, we had 225 students from 75 different agreements/institutions representing 33 different countries; including two consortium agreements where students come from multiple places under one agreement. Forty-nine of the total students are at a graduate level and 176 are undergraduate students.In addition to our outreach endeavors, EVS has expanded programmatic events tailored to visiting scholars and the broader community. These events not only enrich the cultural experience of our visitors but also contribute to a more globally engaged campus environment. Our commitment to community impact is further highlighted by our initiative to share the cultural and academic expertise of our international scholars with local public school students. By planting international seeds early, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of global perspectives and intercultural competence among the next generation.Through these efforts, the Exchange Visitor Services Unit continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating meaningful cultural exchange and educational enrichment, both within UF and beyond.J-1 Scholars visited the Traveling Art Camp at a local Methodist Church in Gainesville.TOP HOSTING COLLEGESTOP COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF VISITORS FOR VISITORSCollege of Agricultural1 BRAZILand Life Sciences2 INDIACollege of Medicine3 CHINA 4 SOUTH KOREACollege of Liberal Arts 5 PAKISTAN and Sciences6 GERMANY 7 FRANCEHerbert Wertheim College of Engineering8 COLOMBIA9 ITALY College of Public Health & Health Professions10 HONDURAS'