Policy Brief vol.3 issue.6

Special Issue:
International Education Week 2008

New NAFSA report shows international students contributed more than $15B to the U.S. economy in last year; Survey of U.S. colleges and universities shows growth in international student enrollments

The 9th annual International Education Week (IEW) began on Monday, November 17. IEW has been celebrated in the United States and worldwide each year since 2000. During IEW, colleges and universities across the country mobilize to highlight the important contributions of international education and exchange to the community and the nation by organizing special events, festivals, and other activities.

International Students Contribute Billions to State Economies
International students and their dependents spent more than $15 billion in the United States during the 2007 – 2008 academic year, according to a NAFSA report released on Monday. NAFSA’s annual Economic Impact Statements estimate the amount of money foreign students spend in the United States to support their education, including spending on tuition, fees and living expenses. The report offers national and state-by-state breakdowns, as well as data for major institutions of higher education in each state. The analysis is based on tuition and living expense data from Peterson’s and enrollment figures from the Institution of International Education’s Open Doors 2008 report. View national and state-by-state reports.

New Survey of International Student Enrollments Released
Just-released results of an annual survey conducted jointly by eight leading higher education associations including NAFSA suggest that overall international student enrollments at U.S. colleges and universities are growing. The results of this year’s survey of 778 schools follow closely the trajectory of last year’s survey, with more than half of responding campuses reporting that their total international student enrollments are higher this year than they were during the 2007 – 2008 academic year. View the joint news release and survey results.

“The continued growth in international student enrollments is very encouraging,” said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene M. Johnson. “Today we have a new opportunity to rise to the challenge of a robust and growing international education marketplace where competition is strong and student choice is greater than ever. We look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the new Congress on a proactive effort to leverage the contributions of international education for our country’s economic competitiveness, global leadership and security.”

More American Students Continue to Study Abroad
Study abroad participation among American college students was up again during the 2006 – 2007 academic year, according to Open Doors 2008, published by the Institute of International Education. However, the total number, 241,791, still represents only about 1 percent of American college undergraduates. View NAFSA’s state-by-state statistics on study abroad participation.

Nearly Forty Governors Issue International Education Week Proclamations
Nearly forty governors across the country have issued proclamations for this year’s International Education Week, which began on Monday. These expressions of support underscore the commitment of state leaders to international education as a critical resource and a key component of global engagement and economic competitiveness. View the list of states, and read proclamations from each state.

 

Policy Brief is a periodic electronic information resource for policy news and analysis on international education issues.

About NAFSA
NAFSA is the world’s largest membership association dedicated to international education. With nearly 10,000 members, the association seeks to increase awareness of and support for international education and exchange in higher education, government, and the community, believing that citizens with international experience and global awareness are crucial to U.S. leadership, competitiveness, and security.