The following information was provided to INSIGHT Online by the Global Education Center.

Enrollment
The number of international students enrolled at Montclair State this semester is 645. The University also provides services to another 134 international students pursuing Practical Training internships after graduation, bringing the total for the semester to 779.

By the numbers
The total number of international students, including the Practical Training internships under Montclair State's auspices are:
2003-04: 779
2002-03: 825
2001-02: 814
2000-01: 824
1999-00: 792
1998-99: 675
1997-98: 548
1996-97: 482
1995-96: 431 (first year data was available)

What it means
Montclair State's international student enrollment has grown remarkably by 44 percent in the past eight years. The reasons for this high rate of growth was most likely due to active admissions overseas recruitment from 1996 to 1999 as well as positive word of mouth about Montclair State among international communities. However, since 9/11, there has been a change in the rate of growth resulting in a plateauing and/or decrease in international student enrollment. This is a national trend stemming from safety concerns around the world and compounded by the difficulty students are having obtaining the student visa in order to get here. More students are admitted to MSU than actually get the visa to come here and enroll. With more visas being denied by the U.S. State Department, the result is lower enrollment numbers. Although the slight decline is in keeping with a national trend, Montclair State will consider reinstating some form of international student recruitment.

Diversity
Montclair State has students representing 95 countries. The top 10 countries are:
Kenya: 61
Korea: 43
India: 34
Poland: 30
Colombia: 29
Turkey 27
Japan and China: 21 each
Cyprus: 19
Nigeria: 18
Brazil: 17

Marking the trends
Five years ago, Japan and China were tied as the number one countries of international student enrollment. The numbers for these two countries have gone down over the years. It is difficult for Chinese students to get a student visa from the U.S. government. As far as Japan is concerned, the decline may be related to safety concerns since 9/11. Several Japanese students have reported their parents' concerns about safety in the United States. Kenya has steadily grown as an exporter of international students over the past five years. Paterson has a large Kenyan community that may be one reason for MSU as a popular enrollment destination. However, it is now almost impossible to get a student visa in Kenya so there may be a reverse in this trend. The countries in the top ten have remained there for several years. Most of them have strong local communities in northern New Jersey making MSU and other area colleges particularly inviting. Montclair State has some intrinsic attractions for international students: the tuition is comparatively reasonable, the campus is inviting with supportive services, there are international communities within close proximity and the academic reputation is solid.

Record numbers for study abroad semester and year programs
Student participation is steadily increasing for the Study Abroad program. In academic year 2001-02, 57 students studied abroad. Last academic year, the University saw a rise to 88 students studying abroad in eight countries. While things slowed during the summer and fall of 2003 due to the outbreak of the war in Iraq, forecasts for spring 2004 are strong. Fifty-one students are registered to study in the spring 2004 semester in Africa, Asia, Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Russia and Spain.

Record number of inbound students through the Exchange/Visiting Students program
Incoming exchange/visiting students are also in record numbers. These are international students coming to MSU for one semester to a year while Montclair State students are studying at their institutions. The Global Education Center is assisting 21 exchange/visiting students with plans to study at MSU in the spring. Most of the students will be living in the new Village participating in the International Living Community. Students are coming from France, England, Australia, China, Hungary, Afghanistan and Austria.

The impact of international affairs and politics
International affairs and politics have a great impact on where students choose and are able to study abroad. For example, programs once popular in Israel have been placed on hold due to U.S. State Department travel warnings. In addition, health conditions play a vital role in where students can and choose to study. In spring 2002, Montclair State had three students in China who were forced to end their semester prematurely due to the SARS outbreak. They had to leave the country early and complete their studies back in the United States sending back exams and reports. The Global Education Center proctored some exams and faxed them back to China so the students could complete their semester. While the SARS ban has been lifted, no students chose to study in China this semester.

The future of Study Abroad programs
Montclair State recently signed an agreement with the Moscow State Conservatory to begin a Study Abroad program this spring. Moscow State Conservatory, one of the most prestigious music conservatories in the world, will accept students from the Music Department to study instrument, Russian language and culture in classes taught in English. Mark Pakman of Music will accompany a group of five students to Russia. While Pakman will return after a week, the students will stay a full semester. They will live in the dorms and study with some of the most talented musicians in the world at perhaps the most famous conservatory in the world. This is the first program of its kind for Montclair State and the Moscow State Conservatory.

The Linguistics Department has had a long-standing relationship with UNIVA, Guadalajara, Mexico. For many years, the Department has received a graduate student from UNIVA who studied and eventually completed a master's degree in linguistics. Now, two graduate students will study and teach at UNIVA and UNIVA's related high school. Jeff Kruse is enrolled in the M.A.T. program and is studying to become a high school Spanish teacher. He will teach and take intensive Spanish language classes at UNIVA. Carol Zacagnini is pursing ESL certification through the Linguistics Department. She also will teach a class and take additional classes in ESL.

Student scholarships
Students have recently begun to have great success in applying for and receiving national scholarships. Congratulations to the following study abroad students who recently received both national and local scholarships:
Chris Mack--Freeman Asia Scholarship to study in Japan, $5,000
Courtney Rash--Freeman Asia Scholarship to study in China, $5,000
Mariola Mozal--Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study in Austria, $5,000
Alan Moe--Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to Study in France, $5,000
Lacey Smith--Harold S. Sloan scholarship to study in Ireland, $500
Michelle Primavera--Harold S. Sloan Scholarship to study in England, $500
Andre Martinez--Richard and Marion Higgins Dugan Scholarship, $500 and Semester at Sea Scholarship, $5,000
Kashawn Coleman--New Jersey State Consortium for International Studies to study in England, $500