The International Student Scene

June 2, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Expo Hall at the 62nd annual NAFSA: Association of International Educators conference evokes Disney’s Epcot Center. Foreign countries have staked out territory here in America’s heartland to promote themselves as destinations for international students: Study in Japan, Malaysia, Korea; “Study in the heart of Europe!” (in Belgium). Over in Canadian country, signs prompt passers-by to “Imagine studying in” -- “Étudier en” -- British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan…. Quebec’s universities have a separate booth nearby: “A unique crossroads.”

The international student market is booming. Foreign student enrollment in the United States is at a record high of 671,616 students. Worldwide, upwards of 3 million students now study outside their home countries, an expanding pie that every country wants a piece of. “As the pie’s increased, more countries are hosting more international students,” Robert Guttierez, senior manager for research and evaluation for the New York-based Institute of International Education, said during a session Tuesday on trends in global student mobility. To see more go to: Inside Higher Education 06/02/2010

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/06/02/nafsa