An important report addressing the 2010-2011 numbers of international students in the United States was just released from the Institute of International Education. I have greatly appreciated their research over the years. A most helpful annual document is Open Doors Fast Facts (below are two tables from the document). This excellent two-page report provides a glimpse of their most recent findings.
The present enrollment of international students at U. S. colleges and universities is at an all-time high of 723,277.
These numbers have been increasing at least since the mid-twentieth century.
Another important fact I want you to note is that the countries sending the most students are China and India, with a 23% increase in the number of Chinese students over the previous year.
Beyond these top two, other noteworthy countries are Taiwan, Saudi Arabia (which had a 44% increase over last year), Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran (which had a 19% increase), and Pakistan.
In my next post, I’ll make a few comments related to our labors. Until then, I want to encourage you to look at the Open Doors Fast Facts (linked above) and prayfully consider the missiological implications set before us as faithful and wise stewards.
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