More U.S. Students Studying Abroad

International Education Week
By Allan E. Goodman

The Open Doors 2011 Report on International Educational Exchange found that international student enrollment at American colleges and universities has been growing steadily for the past five years, reaching a record high of 723,277 in 2010. The largest increase came from China, with Chinese student numbers rising by 23%—the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases. International students contribute more than $21 billion to the US economy. There are now 32% more international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities than there were a decade ago.
  The number of US students studying abroad has also grown, increasing by 88% in the past decade. The number continues to rise, with 270,604 American students studying abroad in the 2009–10 academic year, up 4% from the previous year.
  It is positive news that our higher education institutions continue to excel in attracting students from all over the world, and in preparing American students to succeed in an increasingly global environment. The international skills that students gain are crucial to their ability to succeed in global careers and work together across borders to address important world issues.
  It is important that we as educators work to try to ensure that all students have the opportunity to study abroad. We are grateful to the donors and sponsors who support scholarships that make it possible for more students to study outside of their own countries.

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