While many universities in America attempt to establish satellite campuses around the world, Vanderbilt is keeping it domestic.

In an attempt to increase their global presence and build new relationships with foreign universities and countries, colleges such as New York University are opening branches overseas in areas such as the United Arab Emirates.

Such campuses attempt to maintain the same educational standards as those followed in the United States while providing local students the opportunity of receiving an American degree without ever stepping foot in the United States.

But according to Joel Harrington, the assistant provost for International Affairs, Vanderbilt is not focusing on building an overseas branch.

"When you look at international presence, there is a broad spectrum," Harrington said. "It ranges from having alumni and friends stationed abroad to building partnerships with other colleges and having a branch campus abroad."

While logistics and cost play important factors in establishing a campus abroad, Harrington said he believes Vanderbilt's focus on partnerships with other colleges is more beneficial than having an actual campus overseas, which can lower standards held by the university.

"With a partnership, we respect the local culture and base academic work in context with the needs and demands of the area," Harrington said. "While having a campus overseas will get more international recognition, we lose the potential of having international students come to Vanderbilt and mingle with our students and faculty. It would also be difficult to maintain the same quality abroad that we have here."

As a result, Vanderbilt instead actively tries to recruit international students to study at Vanderbilt by offering scholarships. According to Harrington, one of Vanderbilt's strengths is using alumni to establish a network that can recruit students from other countries.

Some students, however, feel Vanderbilt should increase its international presence.

"We have the resources and the capability to be more involved," said freshman Nabi Nizamidin. "We should definitely take the opportunity to do so."

Students who want to experience an education that is not limited to just Vanderbilt's campus should look into study abroad programs such as the Vanderbilt Initiative for Scholarship and Global Engagement.

"If you're interested in getting involved, talk to faculty and look online at opportunities to study abroad," Harrington said. "Just keep your minds open — there are many opportunities out there."