International students

Having a university of Southeast Missouri State's caliber is a major benefit for Cape Girardeau educationally, culturally and economically.

This semester the university has 541 international students -- double the enrollment of international students from the past two years and over a 190 percent increase since 2005. These students make up 4.8 percent of the university's total student population.

Southeast's international students come from 45 nations, with a majority coming from China, India, Nepal and Japan.

Diversity for the sake of gaining a global perspective and an understanding of other cultures is very important -- especially for students from Southeast Missouri.

International students not only bring a unique perspective to the university, but they also have a big economic effect. These students and their families annually invest between $4.5 million and $5 million in our local economy. International students across Missouri, and their families, invested more than $270 million into the state in 2008-2009.

Southeast intends to increase international student enrollment to more than 600 students in the years to come.

Congratulations to the university for attracting international students. The benefits reach far beyond the Cape Girardeau campus.