THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University will highlight its increasing number of international students during International Education Week activities from Nov. 11 to 15 on its Thousand Oaks campus.

CLU’s observance of the week, which is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, will include a World Fair and International Chapel Service.

The fair will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in University Plaza. Held in conjunction with the English Language School on campus, the celebration will focus on the uniqueness of each culture represented at CLU.

The worship service will be held at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, in Samuelson Chapel.

CLU has more international students than ever this year. The number of foreign nationals taking classes this fall is 505, more than 9 percent higher than last year and nearly 10 times the level of 10 years ago. One in eight CLU students today is a citizen of another country.

The Thousand Oaks university’s foreign students come from 45 countries, an increase from last year. The largest sending countries this year are China, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Taiwan, Austria, Thailand, Sweden, India and Japan.

The week also highlights study abroad experiences offered by CLU. There are program options in more than 80 countries around the world. Each year, nearly 200 students participate in semester, summer and yearlong programs and faculty-led seminars. Twenty-eight percent of the 2013 graduating class studied abroad during their time at CLU.

University Plaza is located outside Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at 130 Overton Court. Samuelson Chapel is located at 165 Chapel Lane. Soiland Humanities Center is located at 120 Memorial Parkway.

All activities are free and open to the public. CLU’s Office of Multicultural Programs and International Student Services and United Students of the World are sponsoring the events. For more information, call Linda Boberg at 805-493-3323.