Statistics show that not only has the university’s enrollment of Nepalese students increased, but also that they have grown to become the largest portion of international students on campus.

The “Southeastern Profile,” a publication produced by the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment, records student, faculty and staff information; including their country of origin. According to the “Profile,” the first Nepalese student enrolled in 2005. By 2009, 69 students from Nepal attended Southeastern and, according to Multicultural & International Student Affairs (MISA) Director Dr. Eric Summers, that number is expected to rise again this semester.

“This semester we have about 30 new Nepalese students,” said Summers. “We represent about 50 countries here at Southeastern and we typically have no more than 10 or 20 students per country. I think this year we will easily have over 100 Nepalese students.”

One of those new students is Suraj Kumor Ayer, freshman biology major from Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu.

“I wanted to earn a college degree in a foreign country and the U.S. has the most variety, I think,” said Ayer. “I chose Southeastern because it’s affordable and they’ve given me a good scholarship. I’m not too nervous, but I am a little anxious about experiencing the new culture.”

Ayer isn’t alone. According to Summers, many international students, not just Nepalese, are attracted to Southeastern because of its affordability.

 “The students tell me that Southeastern is more affordable and the climate is nice; it’s never too cold,” said Summers. “Also, there are several scholarships, like the Housing Scholarship, that makes coming to Southeastern even more affordable to international students. I also find that many of our past students go back home and tell their friends how great this school is, and now they want to come here too.”

The influx of students from around the world has had several effects on campus, specifically the creation and organization of new cultural events and festivities, such as Ramadan and New Year celebrations.

“Whenever you get a large number of students from another country, they tend to form their own groups,” said Summers. “This is great because it forms a support structure for new students from the same country. Also, these students love sharing their culture with others and they’ve organized many events to do just that.”

For more information on MISA and multicultural education, programs and events on campus visit www.selu.edu/admin/misa/index.html.