CSUN's international student population continues to grow to record numbers, despite the aftermath of the terrorist attacks last September. Cal State Northridge ranked 17th among hundreds of master's level universities in the United States during the 2000-2001 school year, with an international student population of 1,081, according to "Open Doors 2001," an annual national report on international education. Total CSUN enrollment that year was 29,066.

CSUN's international student population continues to grow this year, despite a federal crackdown on international student visas. University officials said Northridge's international student population increased 17 percent, to 1,264, students during the fall 2001 semester, the largest such population in memory.

CSUN's international students this school year come from nearly 100 countries, with the largest concentration from Asia.

In fall 2001, Japan lead the way in the number of students attending Northridge with 226, followed by Korea with 90, Taiwan with 72, China with 61 and India with 56. Those nations held the same rankings in Northridge's international student population during the prior school year.

"The location of the university has a lot to do with the reason why many Japanese students come to Northridge," said Asayo Mise, a senior communication studies major from Japan. "The city of Los Angeles is known to virtually everybody in Japan, and going to school near the city may even have some sort of 'brand'-ish meaning to some people."

California State University, Northridge has more than 31,000 full- and part-time students and offers 63 bachelor's and 51 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."