Taipei: Taiwan emerged as the fifth largest source of international students in the United States during the 2023-2024 academic year, following India, China, South Korea, and Canada, according to a report released Tuesday.According to Focus Taiwan, the number of Taiwanese students in the U.S. for the 2023-2024 school year rose 6.1 percent from the previous year to 23,157, making up 2.1 percent of the total international student population, as indicated by the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. This rise continues a trend of annual increases which began in 2015, except for a pause from 2019 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and positioned Taiwan above Vietnam, which now ranks sixth.India and China together account for more than half of the international students in the United States. The annual report, issued by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the nonprofit Institute of International Education, defines international students as th ose enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions or engaged in optional practical training (OPT).The largest segment of Taiwanese students in the U.S. (43.1 percent) during the 2023-2024 academic year were enrolled in graduate programs, with Taiwan ranking as the eighth largest foreign source of graduate students. About 24 percent of Taiwanese students were at the undergraduate level, while over 28 percent participated in OPT programs, marking a 27.4 percent increase, positioning Taiwan as the fourth largest origin for OPT students. Additionally, 4.5 percent of Taiwanese students were enrolled in non-degree programs, reflecting an increase of more than 22.8 percent from the previous year.The Open Doors Report's release is part of the annual International Education Week (IEW), a joint initiative by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education aimed at promoting international educational exchange. During the 2024 IEW from Nov. 18-22, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) has organize d events across Taiwan to encourage studying in America, including seminars, a virtual education fair, and a six-video series spotlighting Taiwanese students studying or working in America.