Otago University international pro-vice-chancellor Prof Helen Nicholson said it was expecting the numbers of students from the US to increase by between 5% and 10% this year.
Factors behind the increase included a weakening New Zealand dollar and the unique experience offered at the university.
‘‘The scenery and the opportunities around Dunedin are very popular.
‘‘Also, because we are a residential university and a small city, that's also attractive to many of the students who are coming from smaller colleges in the US.''
She was out of the office and did not have precise figures to hand, but in previous years students from the US have made up the largest proportion of international students at the university.
Caitlin Demmons, from New Hampshire, said she chose Otago because it had the best opportunities for exploring the outdoors close by.
She was enjoying Dunedin after arriving last Friday.
‘‘Everybody is so friendly.''
