The most recent report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators states that international students studying at Southeast Missouri State University are contributing $27.8 million to the local economy.
NAFSA reported on colleges in each Missouri congressional district, finding that the total benefit from international students was $58 million for District 8. Southeast was responsible for $27.8 million of that total.
“Each of our 1,153 currently enrolled international students is infusing that much money directly into the local economy in the forms of tuition, housing, cell phones, restaurants, insurance, and groceries,” said Kevin Timlin, executive director of International Education and Services at Southeast. “Besides the economic impact, international students play other important roles on a college campus. We are an educational community in which we all have the ability and responsibility to learn from one another.”
The report found that Southeast international students are also supporting 127 jobs in the state. NAFSA reports that international students studying in the U.S. contribute $40.1 billion to the U.S. economy. NAFSA conducts an annual state-by-state and congressional district analysis of the international education economic benefits.
Southeast is currently at an all-time high in international enrollment, hosting 1,153 students from 65 countries.
“Travelling abroad is typically the best way for a person to gain that understanding, but not all people can travel. SEMO’s international students bring the world to our educational community so that everyone here has the opportunity to learn and create global bonds.”
The Southeast Office of International Education and Services offers help for international students with admissions and services, study abroad, and the Intensive English Program. Southeast Study Abroad offers opportunities for students from all majors in more than 35 countries, with trips ranging from a few weeks to semester and academic year-long programs. For more information, contact studyabroad@semo.edu.