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PLATTSBURGH — American universities are attracting more international students, and Plattsburgh State is an example of this globalization.

The school has the highest percentage of international students among comprehensive colleges in the State University of New York system and boasts the greatest global diversity.

"We have been at this for 10 years," said Jackie Girard Vogl, director of International Student Services at Plattsburgh State. "We have also had financial incentives that help the institution and help students afford to be here."

In fact, international-student spending has become increasingly important to the United States during the recession, funneling billions into the economy each year.

The number of international students nationally increased by 8 percent to an all-time high of 671,616 in 2008-09, the largest percentage increase in more than 25 years, according to the annual Open Doors report published by the Institute of International Education.

DIVERSE CAMPUS
Public universities are working to bolster their international student ranks, including SUNY, which created its first cabinet-level position for global affairs with the appointment of Dr. Mitch Leventhal as vice chancellor for global affairs.

Plattsburgh State officials have long understood the importance of bringing international students to campus.

"Globalizing the student body helps globalize the community and enhance the educational experience of students who may not have the opportunity to study in another country," Vogl said.

Plattsburgh State currently enrolls 418 international students, which is slightly lower than last year but higher than any year previous to that.

Japan sent the most students, and China came in second followed by Canada, Tanzania and Trinidad and Tobago.

"The only continent they don't come from is Antarctica," Vogl said. "We are pretty global."

In 2008, Plattsburgh State had the highest percentage of undergraduate international students among SUNY's 13 comprehensive colleges. The university also had the highest number of countries represented on its campus.

The university advertises globally to attract international students, and members of the staff and community travel abroad to introduce the school and area to potential attendees and their families.

'SECOND HOME'
Ayako Ishizuka, 23, was studying English when Vogl visited her school in Japan. She dreamed of studying in the United States since she was 7, so she decided to visit Plattsburgh and the surrounding area for three days.

"I loved this place so much and didn't have to look up anywhere else."

Here, she has made friends, established career contacts and gained confidence.

"This is my fourth year here, and I feel this is my second home," said Ishizuka, who is studying accounting and international business.

She hopes to remain in the United States and become a certified public accountant.

Nicholas Persad may attend graduate school after leaving Plattsburgh State or go home to Trinidad and Tobago to work a bit before returning to his studies.

He's been at Plattsburgh State three semesters now and said the reputation of America's education system lured him to the area.

"My major is journalism, and I heard they had a really good program."

Plus, he had never seen snow and wanted to challenge himself by moving to a drastically different climate.

"My first impression was (Plattsburgh) was really small, but now I have been here and I really love it," Persad said. "I love the small-town lifestyle, the people are friendly, and I actually like the weather."

Vogl thinks it may take more work to recruit international students in the near future.

"I believe it will start to slide down a little because of the global economic crisis and the demographics of some of our key source countries like Japan, where the population is dropping," she said. "It will be more difficult to enroll the numbers we have in the past."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com