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At the United States colleges and universities, in the year 2009-10, there was a three percent increase of foreign student enrolment as compared to the previous year. This growth was essentially driven by Chinese students, says the Open Doors 2010 survey.

As more numbers of US students opted for higher education in non-traditional countries like South Korea, Peru and Chile, there was a slight decline in the number of American enrollment. Surprisingly, according to the survey, in spite of the global meltdown, there is a record increase of international student enrolment with a four percent increase in post graduate student numbers.

The most popular university is the University of South Carolina with at least 8000 international students. New York remains the most sought after host city and California the preferred host state. Though China surpassed India in student numbers, there was a two percent growth of Indian student enrolments. South Korean students remain the third largest in international student numbers.

At least forty four percent of international students studying in American universities are from these countries. There was a whopping twenty five percent increase in the number of Saudi Arabian students as compared to last year.

The survey showed a significant decline in the number or students from Japan as compared to last year. This data shows a picture of international student enrolment in US universities and colleges that is complicated. There is a variation in the pattern of enrolment depending on the academic level and origin, says the report.

In the academic year 2009-10, engineering and business and management were the most popular fields of choice for international students followed by social sciences, mathematics and life sciences. Through living costs and tuition spending, $20 billion is being contributed to the US economy by international students.

The bigger picture shows UK, France, Spain and Italy as the top destinations for students from across the world.  Recently, there is a strong trend among American students to choose non-Western study abroad destination. Most of the destinations are outside Western Europe and in some of these countries English is not even a primary language, according to the survey.

Attracting 142,000 American student enrolments, Europe continues to be the top destination though there was a 4% drop this academic year. There is an increase in the number of American students going to Africa, South America and Asia fuelled by affordability and partnerships between institutions there with US universities.

Most of the Americans who study abroad choose the shorter programs. Interestingly, at least 75% of them choose the programs spanning over eight weeks. Academic credit is offered by New York University for at least 3500 or more students for studying abroad.

Many other institutions follow suit offering 1000 or more students credits for studying abroad. Smaller institutions send students abroad in large numbers too. Americans studying abroad choose fields of study such as physical life sciences, art, humanities, business and management and social sciences.

According to CEO and President of IIE, Allan E Goodman, American students benefit from studying abroad as they gain enough skills to succeed in the global workforce.