Historical trends regarding international educational exchange and factors that have influenced foreign student enrollments in the United States are reviewed and a statistical profile is examined. Since the 1940s the U.S. government has been increasingly active in exchange programs and foreign student activities. Factors influencing foreign student enrollments include the limited opportunity in higher education throughout most of the world, the interest of Americans in closer cultural relations with people from other countries, the pre-eminence of the United States in scientific and technical fields, and the fact that English is a world language. Attention is also directed to the efforts of private and governmental organizations in international educational exchange. Information is provided on foreign students in the United States by country of origin, major, level of study, types of institutions attended, sex, and sources of financial aid. Immigration regulations, university admissions requirements, and university offices for foreign students are reported. The challenges institutions face in responding to the needs of international students, who will continue to come to the United States, are addressed. (SW)