The number of San Francisco State University students studying overseas this year increased 16 percent, helping the campus rank No. 2 among all California State University campuses in the number of students it sends abroad.

This year, 190 SFSU students participated in study abroad programs, up from 160 students last year. Only Cal Poly San Luis Obispo sent more students abroad this year, according to the Institute of International Education.

The top countries attracting SFSU students include the United Kingdom (41 students), Japan (28), France (26), Italy (19) and the Netherlands (17). University officials said Japan was an especially popular destination this year, with three times as many students choosing to travel there than in years past.

My Yarabinec, SFSU's coordinator for study abroad and international exchange programs, attributed the increase to a growing popularity among students studying Japanese language and literature.

SFSU ranks No. 9 in the nation among similar institutions in the number of students it sends abroad, according to the most recent data from the Institute of International Education.