BLOOMINGTON - Xiaoxiao Zhang, David Peia and Chalidha Lamsam hail from different parts of the globe, but they start a common journey this week: The Chinese, Romanian and Thai students are part of Illinois Wesleyan University's 2008 freshman class. | Photo gallery

IWU has stepped up its approach to helping its mostly Illinois-raised students prepare for life in a global society. In 2003, IWU estimated 2,200 students included fewer than 10 from outside the United States. This fall, the target enrollment remains the same - but nearly 90 international students are enrolled.

"If you have someone in your class who has lived through a civil war like in Nepal, or comes from somewhere like Pakistan or China, it's going to add perspective to the points of view offered in class," said Reenie Bradley, Illinois Wesleyan's international student adviser.

On Tuesday, about 35 international students joined 500 other freshmen, getting settled in dorms and starting a six-day orientation that precedes the school's Aug. 25 class start. The foreigners arrived last week, learning logistics, getting cultural tips and getting to know each other. On Monday, a large group visited Flat Top Grill in Normal, and then got supplies at nearby Target.

"It's our own global village," said Bradley.

Aditya Shahi, 19, of New Delhi, India, is a computer science student. He said joining student groups and living in dorms helps everyone get ready for a global society. "From an educational perspective, that's really important, because what happens outside the class also is part of learning, too," he said.

He heard about IWU from an Indian friend, a campus alum.

It's often by word of mouth that international students find their way to the Bloomington campus, said Paul Schley, IWU international admissions director. But IWU also has stepped up outreach. Internet searchers and those visiting embassies easily can find information on IWU. Last year, Schley recruited in Hong Kong and Thailand.

The number of U.S. students studying abroad is rising, too. About 70 IWU students are studying overseas during any given semester, said Bradley.

IWU's most recent strategic plan calls for bringing more of a global view to the campus. It's a national trend as well, said Schley.

This summer, about 40 Illinois Wesleyan faculty and staff took part in a three-day workshop focused on internationalizing the campus. Graduating students with better global awareness and intercultural skills is not just a feel-good approach, they said. It's become an integral part of a post-Sept. 11, 2001, world, according to the workshop's organizers.

Freshman Peia, of Romania, had been to Switzerland, Greece and Israel before his 2007 trip to New York City. It was that last visit that triggered his interest in U.S. colleges. The Bucharest man came across Illinois Wesleyan during an Internet search.

"I think there are a lot of opportunities studying in the U.S.," he said.

Peia, a business major, chose IWU because its academic record is strong, and he liked the idea of living in a smaller community. "I think you can build stronger relationships, and it's quieter here" than in a large city, he said.

"By increasing the number of international students, we can add more diversity, and the American students can interact with people from places they've never been. It is a better exchange of ideas when we're all together," said Yujie "Eunice" Wu, a freshman from Shanghai, China.

"And we get a chance to study in the U.S. education system. That has very strong academics," added Xiaoxiao "Angela" Zhang, also of Shanghai.