For ther first time in five years, the number of new foreign students coming to the United States grew this school year by 8 percent.

At the same time, the number of American students choosing foreign universities has increased 8 percent over the previous year and more than double the number 10 years ago.

Western Europe remained the top destination for American students, with the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France leading the list, the institute said.

According to the survey to be released today by the Institute of International Education, US State Department issued a record 591,050 student and exchange visas in the 12 months ending in September, a 14 percent increase over the previous year and 6 percent more than in the year. [source]

This number has grew for the first time after the 9/11 attacks. Most of the foreign students come from India and China, with Korea, Japan and Canada following.