Office of International Programs

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Office of International Programs

Welcome to the Office of Iinternational Programs!

Here are some of the highlights for the Office of International Programs, focusing on study abroad, international recruitment and international student services during the 2007-08 academic year:

During the 2007-08 academic year, a total of 208 SFA students studied abroad, shattering last year’s record of 95 students. This demonstrates a 120% increase in study abroad participation. These 208 students participated in either short-term faculty-led programs (177) or semester or year-long abroad programs (31).

It should be noted that having 208 students participate in study abroad programs puts SFA near the top for mid-size regional public universities in Texas, surpassing universities with much more well established international offices like Sam Houston State University, Midwestern State University, Lamar University, The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas A&M-Kingsville, and Texas Woman’s University. In fact, we’re not far behind the University of Houston, which sent 330 students abroad this year.

In the 2007-08 academic year, SFA faculty members led 177 students on 11 faculty-led study abroad programs. This represents a 127% increase over the 78 SFA students that traveled on six faculty-led programs last year. Our programs traveled to London (Interior Design); London and Edinburgh (Criminal Justice); Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy (Elementary Education); Costa Rica (Spanish, Forestry, and Secondary Education); Dublin and London (Theatre); Dublin and Galway (English); Ghana (Political Science); France, Germany and Switzerland (Business); and Mexico (Geography). Our Office worked with faculty leaders of these eleven programs throughout the development, promotion, and implementation phases and provided a comprehensive pre-departure orientation for all participants.

A total of 31 SFA students studied abroad on semester or year-long abroad programs for the 2007-08 academic year. Eight students completed a year of study in Theatre at Rose Bruford College in England, 12 student teachers completed their semester of supervised student teaching in international schools in Costa Rica and 11 students studied abroad for at least one semester. This is the largest number of SFA students studying abroad on semester or year-long abroad programs, nearly doubling last year’s record of 17 students.

Now, we turn to our international student population, which totaled 186 students in the Spring 2008 semester. This represents a 15% increase from Spring 2007 and a 50% increase over our Spring 2006 numbers. These 186 students represent 36 different countries and include 102 undergraduate students, 68 graduate students and 16 intensive English students.

The AELI (American English Language Institute) enrolled 18 students in Fall 2007 and 16 students in Spring 2008 and nearly all of these students entered or will enter undergraduate or graduate degree programs at SFA upon their successful completion of the AELI program. These numbers represent significant increases over the 3 AELI students in Spring 2006, right before the OIP took over the administration of the AELI. The AELI is now on strong financial footing and is funded entirely by AELI student tuition.

In November 2007, the International Student Association and Office of International Programs organized and offered our third annual International Food Festival to the SFA community, as we do every year. During this festival approximately 250 students, faculty and staff members were served authentic international cuisine, prepared by our international students. In addition, during the same semester the newly-formed Indian Student Organization hosted their own Indian Food Festival, feeding over 200 students, faculty and staff members.

Also, in November 2007, the International Student Association, Office of International Programs and SFA Multicultural Center worked together to stage the first annual International Fashion Show. Students from 15 countries participated in this very well attended show in the Grand Ballroom. The OIP and ISA also worked together over the fall semester on international student outreach, resulting in international students giving 16 presentations in SFA classes about their countries and cultures.

We look forward to another exciting year of growth in the coming academic year. Please come by and visit us in LAN 402!

Daniel Norton, Ph.D.
Director, Office of International Programs
Stephen F. Austin State University

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