More than 2,000 foreign students from nearly 100 countries attend the University

SAN FRANCISCO, November 14, 2005 -- San Francisco State University has more international students than any other master's degree-granting institution in the United States, according to 2004-05 figures released Monday by the Institute of International Education.

This marks the first time that SFSU has ever been ranked No. 1 for international students. The University was No. 2 in each of the previous five years.

The rankings are based on the most recently completed academic year, 2004-05. The number of international students at SFSU last fall was 2,157. While the University's international student population has more than doubled since 1994, it has decreased somewhat the past two years.

This fall there are 2,016 international students at SFSU, representing 94 countries.

Yenbo Wu, SFSU director of international programs, attributes the decrease -- which reflects a nationwide trend -- to stricter federal regulations in obtaining student visas. As a result, more foreign students are seeking to study abroad in other English speaking countries such as England, Canada or Australia.

"We are working hard to reverse this downward trend," Wu said, noting SFSU's extensive efforts to recruit international students. "The education of foreign and domestic students alike mutually benefit from their presence on campus."

A welcome reception for international students will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Vista Room, located on the fourth floor of Burk Hall on the SFSU campus, as part of the University's celebration of International Education Week. SFSU President Robert A. Corrigan and the SFSU Office of International Programs will host the reception. Reporters are welcome to attend the reception, which is expected to draw a large crowd of international students.

Last fall, matriculated international students at SFSU represented 99 countries of origin. The University remains a top destination for students from Asian countries. They comprised nearly 75 percent of the University's international student body. Japan topped the list with 442 students, as it has since SFSU began tracking countries of origin in 1994. The other top countries of origin were Taiwan (216 students), South Korea (136), mainland China (128), and India (102).