CLU celebrates international students

Foreign enrollment up 40 percent from last year

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CLU's foreign students come from 40 countries.

Photo: Brian Stethem

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Oct. 26, 2012) California Lutheran University will highlight its increasing number of international students during International Education Week activities from Nov. 12 to 16.

CLU’s observance of the week, which is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, will include a World Fair and International Chapel Service.

The fair will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in University Plaza. Held in conjunction with the English Language School on campus, the celebration will include student performances, food and displays of cultures represented at CLU.

The service will be held at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in Samuelson Chapel.

CLU has more international students than ever this year. The number of foreign nationals taking classes this fall is 462, about 40 percent higher than last year and nearly 10 times the level of 10 years ago. One in nine CLU students today is a citizen of another country.

The Thousand Oaks university’s foreign students come from 40 countries. The largest sending countries this year are Saudi Arabia, China, Taiwan, Norway, Thailand, Austria, India and Sweden.

The week also highlights study abroad experiences offered by CLU. Twenty percent of CLU students study abroad for at least a semester during their undergraduate years, according to the statistics from our 2012 graduating class. When shorter-term travel seminars to places such as Cuba, Italy and Thailand are included, the total number of students who study abroad each year is more than 200.

University Plaza is located between William Rolland Stadium and Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center north of Olsen Road between Mountclef Boulevard and Campus Drive. Samuelson Chapel is located south of Olsen Road near Campus Drive.

All activities are free and open to the public. CLU’s Office of Multicultural Programs and International Student Services and Office of Campus Ministry are sponsoring the events. For more information, call Linda Boberg at 805-493-3323.

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