Recently, 125 representatives from colleges and universities across Minnesota gathered in Washington D.C. to meet with diplomatic and educational leaders from the Middle East for the 2015 Arab States Reception.

Photo: MTO Director Kathleen Motzenbecker and U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison

The Study Minnesota Arab States event celebrated the diversity and educational connections between Minnesota and the Middle East. Minnesota currently ranks no. 19 for hosting the most international students -- 13,765 -- according to the Institute of International Education.

Representatives from 20 Minnesota schools and 22 Middle Eastern states attended the first-ever event. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, representing Minnesota's 5th congressional district; former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Samuel Kaplan and his wife Sylvia; and Major General Richard Nash also attended. Minnesota's 5th congressional district is home to 6,936 foreign students.

International students' impact on the U.S. economy is significant. Each year, NAFSA: Association of International Educators produces the NAFSA Open Doors Report, analyzing the economic benefits that international students have on the U.S. economy. For the 2013-2014 academic year, there were 886,052 international students in a U.S. college or university. For every seven international students enrolled, three U.S. jobs are created or supported, according to the report.

The Brookings Institution also found that many international students extend their visas to work in metropolitan areas where they attended school. Not only does this bridge differences, but it also brings forth new skills to the local communities.

Tim Odegard, international trade representative for the Minnesota Trade Office, hopes to continue building connections and supporting similar events. Odegard looks forward to working with colleges and universities in Minnesota to identify regions to focus their relationship-building efforts.

The 2015 Arab States Reception was co-sponsored by DEED, Study Minnesota Consortium, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Explore Minnesota Tourism, Minnesota District Export Council and the U.S. Department of Commerce.