Valentine's Day is here, and as feeds overflow with public displays of affection, the lament of singles is endless. For international students, being single isn't scary; what's scary is being the only single person in your circle.
Data suggests the probability of a North American international student finding a partner within one year is about 0.171, and the probability of marrying that partner, calculated using Bayes' theorem, is only 0.056.
Besides subjective factors, the difficulty international students face in finding love is mainly due to objective reasons such as limited opportunities to meet people and heavy coursework. An increasingly online lifestyle also significantly reduces social opportunities for international students.
Choosing the right university and major can also be the start of a beautiful romance. A balanced gender ratio, a beautiful campus environment, and abundant social activities can all increase one's chances of finding love.
With Valentine's Day in mind and considering students' lifetime matters, we've compiled lists from previous years of 'the easiest to find love' universities and majors in the UK and US, along with the most beautiful university wedding venues in the US, for students and parents to reference :)
US Universities with the Highest Success Rate in Finding Love
Business Insider previously compiled a list of US colleges where students are most likely to meet their future spouse, based on student reviews. Here we provide detailed introductions to some well-known institutions from that list.
Top 20 US Universities Easiest to Find Love
20. University of Wisconsin
19. Franciscan University of Steubenville
18. Virginia Tech
17. Washington University in St. Louis
16. Rice University
15. Azusa Pacific University
14. Clemson University
13. Texas A&M University
12. Biola University
11. Wesleyan University
10. Brown University
9. University of Southern California
8. St. Olaf College
7. Pacific Union College
6. Santa Clara University
5. Stanford University
4. Georgetown University
3. Yale University
2. University of Virginia
1. Brigham Young University
University of California at Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
Credit：Marianne Wilson Photography
Ranked 36th on the list, UCLA, a top-tier comprehensive university in Los Angeles, benefits greatly from its location and community.
UCLA offers over 330 different degree programs and is one of the US universities that cultivates top talent across the widest range of fields, making it the most applied-to university in the country. Due to its consistently large Chinese international student population, UCLA is often jokingly called 'University of Chinese and Lots of Asians.'
UCLA's campus culture is highly inclusive, accepting any unique personal traits. Therefore, finding someone with a similar cultural background and aesthetic tastes at UCLA is far from difficult.
University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Credit：michaelsantosphotography
Ranked 9th on the list, USC, also located in Los Angeles, is another university with a large Chinese community. As the oldest top private research university on the U.S. West Coast, its School of Cinematic Arts, Thornton School of Music, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Price School of Public Policy, School of Pharmacy, School of Architecture, and School of Cinematic Arts are all among the best in the nation.
USC boasts a diverse population and abundant social activities, facilitating easier communication and interaction among international students, hence a high success rate in finding love. At USC, you can study well, live well, and enjoy beautiful natural scenery—making it a great cradle for studying abroad and a wonderful hotbed for romance.
Yale University
Yale University
Credit：shainaleephotography
Ranked 3rd on the list, and contrary to stereotypes, top students also know how to nurture romantic relationships.
At Yale, the university even offers a Psychology course called 'Evolution, Emotion and Reason.' In this course, students not only learn about different types of love but also how to distinguish true love from other forms of desire.
Beyond basic love courses, Yale even has classes on early pregnancy, aimed at giving young women more opportunities to learn about topics such as fetal testing, prenatal care, and postnatal nutrition. No matter which chapter of a love story you're in, Yale will provide you with maximum support.
Most Beautiful University Wedding Venues in the US
Universities are not only places of higher education but also home to many picturesque buildings and gardens. This has led many alumni couples to choose their alma mater for their wedding ceremonies.
marthastewart weddings has also recommended the most beautiful university wedding venues for us.
UK Universities with the Highest Success Rate in Finding Love
The University of Surrey once conducted a love-related survey among over 1,000 UK students. The survey found that there are ten UK universities particularly suited for romance, with the University of Edinburgh topping the list with a 53% approval rate. The University of Bristol and the University of Liverpool followed in second and third place, both with 46% approval.
Top 10 UK Universities Best for Romance
10th: University of Nottingham — 35%
9th: University of Birmingham — 36%
8th: University of Oxford — 36%
7th: University of London — 37%
6th: Durham University — 41%
5th: University of East Anglia — 42%
4th: University of Cambridge — 42%
3rd: University of Liverpool — 46%
2nd: University of Bristol — 46%
1st: University of Edinburgh — 53%
The University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Located in the Scottish capital, this institution attracts countless students with its beautiful campus environment and is considered by students to be the UK university best suited for romance.
The university's most famous site is the George Square campus in the city center, featuring Greek classical architectural styles and nicknamed the 'Athens of the North.' The most eye-catching feature is the university's dome building, which houses the School of Law, the Talbot Rice Gallery, and more.
Step off campus, and the Royal Mile offers scenic views at every turn; around any corner, you might encounter the sweetest, most unforgettable embrace or kiss of your life. For couples, besides after-class strolls, the annual Edinburgh International Festival in summer is also a wonderful date option.
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge holds a lofty academic status and broad influence across numerous fields, widely recognized as one of the world's top higher education institutions. At the same time, its beautiful campus scenery and romantic atmosphere have earned it the 4th spot among universities best for romance.
The beauty of the Cam River is evident from Xu Zhimo's poem: 'In the gentle waves of the River Cam, I would gladly be a waterweed.' Imagine spending a pleasant after-class time with your partner, either punting or strolling along the river—how delightful.
University Majors with the Highest Success Rate in Finding Love
Given that the gender ratio within a major is the most critical factor affecting dating opportunities, we've referenced the average gender ratios of applicants to different majors to help gauge the likelihood of finding love.
According to past HESA data, judging solely by gender ratio, fields such as business, biology, geography, and physics show relatively small differences between male and female students; computer science, engineering, and math have a higher proportion of male students; and disciplines like languages, sociology, psychology, education, and art have more female students.
For students looking to develop romantic relationships on campus, humanities, business, and design-related majors might be more suitable.
If you truly have no opportunities to meet the opposite sex, in this fast-paced era, using dating apps to meet new people isn't a bad idea.
For instance, the well-known dating app Tinder previously launched a feature to boost university student dating — TinderU. Undergraduates enrolled in four-year universities in the UK and US can simply register on Tinder with their school email to activate quick dating features with students from neighboring schools or alumni.
Loving someone is indeed beautiful, but it must be built on a foundation of self-love; protecting yourself is just as important as protecting the one you love. At the same time, don't lose your direction or your true self because of love.
Between couples, mutual effort and progress, encouragement and support — that is the most beautiful form love can take.
In the new year, we also wish every international student a wonderful campus social and romantic life.
May everyone reap a double harvest in love and academics~
