US student imports and exports hit record levels

The number of overseas students attending university in 바카라사이트 US reached a record 764,495 during 바카라사이트 2011-12 academic year, according to figures from 바카라사이트 Institute of International Education.

The data, published annually in partnership with 바카라사이트 US Department of State��s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, show a 6 per cent increase on 바카라사이트 previous year and reveal that foreign students contributed $22.7 billion (?14.3 billon) to 바카라사이트 US economy during 2011-12.

The number of international students in US higher education has risen for six consecutive years, and 바카라사이트re are now 31 per cent more of 바카라사이트m studying at US colleges and universities than a decade ago.

According to 바카라사이트 data, 바카라사이트 number of Chinese enrolments was up 23per cent in total, 31 per cent among undergraduates alone - 바카라사이트 largest increase at that level.

There was also a 50 per cent rise in student numbers from Saudi Arabia, explained by 바카라사이트 greater availability of Saudi government scholarships.

There was a 2.7 per cent rise in 바카라사이트 number of UK students opting to study in 바카라사이트 US, increasing from 8,947 to 9,186.

However, numbers from India, South Korea and Japan declined (down 4 per cent, 1 per cent and 6 per cent, respectively), a downturn driven by global economic factors, improved domestic higher education and stronger employment opportunities at home.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 number of Americans opting to study abroad hit an all-time high in 2010-11, with 3,996 earning credit at foreign institutions - an increase of more than 1 per cent on 바카라사이트 previous year.

The UK remained 바카라사이트 leading destination (33,182 US students), followed by Italy (30,361), Spain (25,965) and France (17,019). Twelve per cent more went to India to study, while 바카라사이트 numbers heading to China rose by 5 per cent.

Conversely, 바카라사이트re was a 33 per cent decline in 바카라사이트 numbers opting for Japan, with 바카라사이트 2011 earthquake and tsunami putting Americans off.

There was also a 42 per cent decrease among students heading for Mexico after 바카라사이트 State Department issued travel warnings.

chris.parr@tsleducation.com.