U.S. Commercial Service honors Bellevue College for $19.9 million economic impact of international students

September 28, 2009 4:53 pm

The U.S. Commercial Service, an arm of the federal Department of Commerce, has awarded an Export Achievement Certificate to Bellevue College, recognizing the $19.9 million local economic impact of the college’s international students.

The certificate was presented by U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert to Cris Samia, assistant dean of the college’s international student program, in ceremonies in Bellevue Sept. 28.

The $19.9 million economic stimulus cited by the Commercial Service represents a combination of tuition and direct personal expenditures from the college’s international students in the 2007-08 school year, when the college hosted 800 international students

The college currently enrolls about 900 international students, from more than 80 countries.

Bellevue College offers several educational options for international students, including intensive training in English and business, as well as associate degrees in preparation for transfer to four-year colleges, and work-related training programs that lead to associate degrees and certificates.

In presenting the award, Reichert praised the college’s commitment to global awareness. Among other activities, Bellevue College:

— hosts an annual international scholar-in-residence, funded primarily through the U.S. State Dept. Fulbright programs.

— fields Ethnic and Cultural Studies and International Studies programs, as well as the most comprehensive translation and interpretation training program in the Pacific Northwest.

— provides instruction in 18 different languages.

— Maintains sister-school and student/faculty exchange relationships with 12 colleges around the world (in Japan, China, Korea, Mexico, Denmark, Australia and Turkey).

— Provides numerous learn-abroad opportunities, including international service trips by its Rotaract Club and International Business clubs.

Bellevue College is the third largest educational institution in Washington state, behind only the University of Washington and Washington State University. It serves approximately 35,000 students each year.