Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

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August 14, 2009

GSW initiates international student

 sponsorship program

              AMERICUS—President Kendall Blanchard, Ph.D., today introduced a program encouraging citizens within the Americus community to better acquaint themselves with international students attending Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW).

              This International Student Sponsorship Program (ISSP) assigns all interested international students to sponsors in the local community. The sponsors invite students into their homes, take them to dinner or some public event and get to know them.

            “We want to make sure that our international students have a great experience here, not only on the campus but in the larger community,” said Blanchard. “These students play a vital role in our efforts to internationalize our curriculum and prepare all our students to succeed in today’s global economy. They also help in our efforts to grow. Community members, by sponsoring one or more of our international students, can make an important contribution to the University and the community.”

            International students make up a critical part of the student body at Georgia Southwestern. They come here for the opportunity to see how Americans live and to meet people in the local community beyond the boundaries of campus. They contribute valuable out-of-state tuition dollars and make a considerable economic impact. According to the NAFSA Association of International Educators, GSW international students made an estimated $1 million economic impact on the Americus community last year.

            Interacting with international students also prepares students native to the U.S. for work and success in the global economy. In Fall 2008, GSW enrolled 104 international undergraduate and graduate students from 35 different countries. The University plans to increase that number with new collaborations with Universities in China, India and Korea.

            For more information about the ISSP, please contact John Fox in the International Student office at (229) 931-6884.

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