Border Lines

International students contributed more than $15B to the U.S. economy in last year; International Education Week begins today

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — International students and their dependents spent more than $15 billion in the United States during the 2007 – 2008 academic year, according to a new NAFSA report released today. 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: http://www.nafsa.org/eis2008

The 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: http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=Fall2008Survey

“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.”

A NAFSA policy paper to the next U.S. president, issued before the election, emphasized the critical role of international education in advancing U.S. public diplomacy and foreign policy efforts at a time when the global reputation of the United States is at a historic low point. NAFSA stressed the need for presidential leadership to establish a proactive international education initiative that would include actions aimed at increasing the United States’ attractiveness as a destination for foreign students and scholars; greatly increasing the number of U.S. students who study abroad; and expanding vital cultural, citizen, and volunteer exchanges.

Thirty Governors Issue International Education Week Proclamations

Thirty governors across the country have issued proclamations for this year’s International Education Week, which begins November 17. 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: http://www.nafsa.org/public_policy.sec/iew_2008/iew_2008_proclamations

International Education Week (IEW), set for November 17 – 21, has been celebrated in the United States and worldwide each year since it was declared by President Bill Clinton in 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. Learn more about International Education Week: http://www.nafsa.org/public_policy.sec/iew_2008

With more than 10,000 members, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world’s largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education.

Source: NAFSA: Association of Intl Educators

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