A national trend that shows American students are becoming more interested in studying abroad in non-English speaking countries is also reflected in the distribution of Penn State study abroad enrollment from last year.

In a report released by the Institute of International Education (IIE) this week, the number of American students abroad from 2004-2005 increased by eight percent from the year before, while the number of those studying in primarily English-speaking countries declined.

At Penn State, the percentage of students studying in non-English speaking countries jumped three percent from 2004-2005 to 73 percent in 2005-2006.

Statistics from the university Education Abroad office show the total number of students earning credits abroad in 2005-2006 though the university increased from the previous year from 1,281 to 1,295.

IIE figures indicate the number of Penn State students not studying through university-sponsored international programs nearly doubles the number of Penn State students abroad.

Nationwide, the most popular destination for American students remained the English-speaking United Kingdom, followed by Italy, Spain and France.

The country hosting the most Penn State students was Italy with 350, and Spain followed with 188.

Kristi Wormhoudt, Education Abroad academic coordinator, said that an important factor in Penn State's large numbers in Italy and Spain is a lack of a language prerequisite for many of the programs there and an environment that affords students a "comfort level" since the countries are accustomed to English-speaking visitors.

Despite an overall increase in study abroad participants, the only English-speaking country where the number of Penn State students earning credits through the university increased was Ireland.

The total number of Penn State students in England dropped from 207 to 175 over the past year.

Wormhoudt said concerns were raised among students about going to England, particularly programs in London, after the July 2005 subway attacks.

One national trend that has yet to catch on at Penn State is an increase in the number of students studying abroad in Asia--particularly India and China--with American enrollment up 53 and 35 percent, respectively.

The school has not offered a study abroad site in India in recent years, but Wormhoudt said a program is in place to begin sending students to Delhi next fall.

Additionally, Penn State hopes to expand its opportunities to study in China by reinstating a summer program in 2008, she said.