International student enrollment increases

Most international students at SF State have to pay high fees, don't have financial aid and can rarely work. Nonetheless, they are coming to campus in rising numbers to get a degree and a new living experience.

The most recent annual census of the Institute of International Education shows the number of international students enrolled at SF State rose to 1,028 in 1994 -- an increase of 13 percent from 1993.

"San Francisco State is very special. It's in the city, and I like the diversity of the people," said Susan Yip, an international business and Chinese major. Yip, who heard about SF State through friends in Hong Kong, has no regrets about the choice she made.

"I'm very pleased with SF State. It has a business program that offers a lot of good courses," she said.

As an undergraduate international student, Yip is required to take at least 12 units a semester. She pays $991 in fees, plus $246 per unit. Her bills total $ 7,886 per year, not including living expenses.

"I feel it's expensive, but I also feel it's worth investing that money in education," said Yip, who plans to go to Japan after graduation.

Stressing that most international students are self-financed -- there is no financial aid for new international students -- Jay Ward, coordinator of International Student Services at the Office of International Programs, sees in these students an important source of income for the university.

"Their fees help get more professors, more programs, and better services," Ward said.

With an estimated 1,100 international students who are not permanent residents or U.S. citizens-- from more than 70 countries enrolled this fall, the OIP claims to be two years ahead of enrollment schedule. Its ultimate goal is to make the international population 10 percent of the total student population on campus. Currently it accounts for about 4 percent.

According to the census, most SF State international students enroll in business management, followed by computer sciences and engineering. Most come from Japan, followed by Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"This institute values diversity, and the presence of students from all over the world gives truth to that commitment," said Dr. Harvey Charles, the new director of the OIP, which assists the university's international students and scholars in adjusting to life at SF State and in the country.

Appointed last August along with three other staff members, Charles is the first permanent director of the OIP in five years.

For President Robert A. Corrigan, internationalizing the university is an important point in his agenda. This leads Charles to see his appointment as "a recognition by the administration of the benefits the university can get from a strong Office of International Programs."

Like Yip, anthropology major Tamayo Morita learned about SF State through a friend in Japan who recommended it. She's hopeful her U.S. experience will be key in her professional future.

"I decided to come to SF State to get a degree to get a better job once I return to Japan," she said.

While recognizing that a number of international students come to SF State for the appeal of the city and the presence of relatives and friends, Charles points out another reason.

"International students increasingly view SF State as an institution that can provide a sound education," he said.

In addition, Charles believes students from other cultures, traditions and languages can play an important role in the curriculum and enrich the overall environment on campus.

"Their experiences help authenticate the theoretical aspect of learning you have in the classroom," Charles said.

In order to attract more international students, the OIP is promoting SF State at community colleges and high schools in Northern California. It is also planning to do some marketing overseas next year.

The office regularly offers a variety of workshops as well as educational, cross-cultural, social and recreational activities.

"Overall, their experience is a positive one and it's being even more positive with the office," Ward said. He admits there are some problems to be resolved, one of them being the touch tone registration from overseas and the little opportunity international students have to meet with an advisor or attend advising workshops before classes begin.

"We're working hard on that. We're trying to be in close contact with (the international students) and hear what they have to say," Ward said.

[ Golden Gater Online September 26, 1995 ]

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