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Policy Brief vol.2 issue.10


NAFSA Links About NAFSA Public Policy Press Room		November 16, 2007 Vol. 2 Issue 10 International Education Week 2007 Special Issue This week the nation marks the 8th annual International Education Week (IEW). NAFSA: Association of International Educators joins campuses, communities, and organizations across the country this week in recognizing and celebrating the enormous contributions of international education to the nation. In this special issue of Policy Brief, NAFSA presents a selection of key reports and initiatives in international education policy. This Issue New Surveys Latest Data Indicate Continued Modest Growth in International Enrollments Economic Impact Spending by Foreign Students in U.S. Tops $14B Study Abroad Numbers are Up; Simon Legislation Poised for Action in Senate In the States 24 Governors Issue Proclamations Supporting International Education Week This Week Campuses Nationwide Celebrate 8th Annual International Education Week New Surveys Latest Data Indicate Continued Modest Growth in International Enrollments The results of a snapshot survey released this week by several higher-education organizations suggest continued modest growth in international enrollments at U.S. higher education institutions. Read more Open Doors 2007, released this week by the Institute of International Education, reports a 3% increase in international student enrollments during the 2006-2007 academic year, following three years of decline. The report shows especially strong growth in the number of international students enrolled in intensive English programs and other non-degree programs (27.4%), and in students participating in optional practical training (9.4%). The report indicates declines in international student enrollments at the bachelor level (-1.5%) and modest growth (1.8%) at the graduate level. View Open Doors "We are happy to see international enrollments continue to trend upward," said NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Marlene Johnson. "It is important to recognize the State Department for the great work it has done to improve the visa process. Colleges and universities are also doing their part by redoubling recruitment and outreach efforts. At the same time, it is clear that we are not doing as well as we should be in the global competition for talent. We need a comprehensive national strategy for attracting international students and scholars." Economic Impact Spending by Foreign Students in U.S. Tops $14B Each year foreign students and their families spend billions of dollars in the United States. NAFSA's annual estimates of the economic impact of foreign students at U.S. colleges and universities, released this week, include spending on tuition and fees and living expenses, with national and state-by-state breakdowns as well as data for major institutions of higher education in each state. View data Study Abroad Numbers are Up; Simon Legislation Poised for Action in Senate Open Doors 2007 reports that the number of students participating in study abroad continues to increase, with a reported 223,534 Americans studying in other countries during the 2005 - 2006 academic year. While this is an 8.5% increase over the previous year, it represents just one percent of American college students. The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act was introduced earlier this year by Senators Richard Durbin (D -Ill.) and Norm Coleman (R - Minn.) in the Senate and Chairman Tom Lantos (D - Calif.) and Ranking Member Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R -Fla.) of the House Foreign Relations Committee. The bill, passed by the House of Representatives this summer, is now awaiting action in the Senate. The legislation sets a ten-year goal of sending one million diverse American students to study abroad annually in locations all around the world and has the support of nearly half the Senate, with 43 co-sponsors, as well as strong support from the higher education and educational exchange communities. Read more Demographics of Study Abroad Study Abroad Participation by State In the States 24 Governors Issue Proclamations Supporting International Education Week View proclamations This Week Campuses Nationwide Celebrate 8th Annual International Education Week View events nationwide 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.