The specter of Sept. 11 hasn't diminished San Francisco State University students' interest in studying abroad. This year, 143 students will study overseas, a 29 percent increase over last year.

"More students are choosing to enrich their educational experiences by studying abroad," said My Yarabinec, SFSU coordinator for study abroad and international exchange programs. "What has surprised us is that some students are choosing to study overseas because of Sept. 11, not in spite of it."

Due to heightened security concerns for students abroad, Yarabinec placed extra emphasis on security and safety precautions during the study abroad orientation which was held in May.

SFSU consistently ranks among the highest of the 23 campuses in the California State University system for students studying overseas.

Students are able to study overseas through two state-supported programs, the SFSU Bilateral Exchanges and CSU International Programs. Through both programs, students pay the same tuitions and fees they would if attending SFSU. They are not charged overseas tuition, administrative costs or other fees.

Prestigious universities in Europe continue to attract the most students. The leading countries this year are the United Kingdom (23 students), France (22), Holland/Belgium (21), Italy (14) and Spain (13).

For more, see the press release or visit the SFSU study abroad Web site.