The Office of International Programs (OIP) held its 40th annual "End-of-the-Year International Education Ceremony and Reception" to honor SF State students who were selected to study abroad, and the international exchange students who have successfully completed their program at the university.

Over 170 students and parents filled the seats of the McKenna Theatre in the Creative Arts building - at around 2:30 p.m., on May 10 - to hear speeches from SF State President Robert Corrigan, Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Exchange Programs (IEP) My Yarabinec, and students from the International Education Exchange Council (IEEC).

The honorees were awarded certificates stating that they were chosen to participate in the study abroad program.

2006 was declared the year of study abroad with SF State leading the 23 CSU (California State University) campuses.

The OIP is sending over 250 students abroad from 2006 to 2007, which is the largest group of SF State students to be sent overseas, according to IEP Advisor Marisa Thigpen.

Thigpen accounts marketing for the success of IEP at SF State.

“We are starting early,” said Marisa Thigpen, IEP advisor. “We’re making a strong commitment making sure everyone knows about it.”

Thigpen has been part of the exchange program for three years and said the best way to get students to know about the program is to start at the dorms when students are freshman.

Thigpen spent a year abroad in Germany and highly recommends it to other students.

“It will be the best year of their life,” Thigpen said. "It changes them. It makes them more confident, articulate and adventurous."

According to President Corrigan, SF State has the largest amount of students who come from other countries to study at the university.

Design major Dan Harvey, 21, is one of many students who came to study at SF State from London. He has spent close to a year at the university and said he plans on returning to San Francisco.

“I am sad to leave,” Harvey said. “I am trying to get a green card so I can work out here.”

The exchange program currently spans 15 countries, ranging from Denmark to Ghana.

There are two different programs which students can choose to apply for.

The first is the International Program (IP), which is an academic program which lasts for a year. All the classes taken are counted as college credit. Student are required to take 15 units per semester.

“They really stress the academic program,” said Danielle Mayer, 21, liberal studies major.

The second program is a bilateral program which is one semester long and is taught in English by professors in the chosen country.

Mayer said one of the things she likes about the program is they do not find housing for you.

“They don’t do everything for you, it’s very valuable," she added.

The Co-Chair of the IEEC Osilone Abebe said it is important for students to have an understanding of what goes on in the world around them.

“It puts you above the rest with independence,” Abebe said.

Harvey said it is very important to travel to other countries while students are still in college.

“You must (travel) while you’re young,” Harvey said. “It gives you a great experience to get out of your comfort zone. You must see the world."