FOREIGNERS SHUNNING U.S. SCHOOLS

New York Post | 11/03/03 | AP

[kattracks]

November 3, 2003 -- A new study says the number of foreign students attending U.S. colleges increased by less than 1 percent in 2002-03 - the lowest growth rate in seven years. It's just the latest piece of evidence that international students are shying away from the United States because of tough immigration rules.

The Institute of International Education said tightened visa procedures enacted after the 2001 terrorist attacks, which have delayed the entry of many foreigners into the United States, contributed to the low growth rate.

The institute said in its annual "Open Doors" report, to be released today, that foreign enrollment increased by only 0.6 percent last year. In each of the two previous academic years, foreign enrollment had increased by 6.4 percent.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, foreign students' visa applications became subject to greater scrutiny. One of the Sept. 11 hijackers held a student visa.

AP

[ClaireSolt]

Interesting.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

good

[A Simple Soldier]

This is not a surprise. But I love how this is written. Only a 0.6% increase, so therefore a "decrease." I somehow doubt we saw an increase of the number of accredited colleges and universities.

I currently live in India working for the US Guvmint.

1) Student visas are harder to come by and the competition to be educated in the West, especially the US, is fierce.
2) Many who manage to get accepted can't even afford to fly to the US, much less live in the US. Educational philantrophy is spotty.

[FLAUSA]

I wonder what the increase (decrease) in foreign professors is. I've always found it strange that foreign students come to America to be taught by foreign professors. Heck, why don't they just stay home?

[Cronos]

So, we get the best students irrespective of their economic background. Isn't that a plus point for our economy? Getting the best?

[randita]

The fact that on many college campi, Arab students cheered following the 9/11 attack must have given us a clue.

[mtbopfuyn]

It should have shown a huge decrease with those students who are here illegally being shipped out except the INS isn't doing it's job.

[A Simple Soldier]

Yes and no. We often get the best, but really we get the lucky. If they wind up staying in the US (which requires a new visa which is not automatic), great, as they tend to really contribute to the US, especially economically. If they return to their home country, also great, as they are often going to be a positive catalyst for economic and political change in the Third World and serve as some of America's best ambassadors.

Getting accepted to an American university is only the first step. And frankly, it is the easiest step as foreign faces bring "diversity" etc. Now in some universities and in some departments they have slightly (key descriptor) lower standards for foreign admissions. In this case, these kids due bring true diversity, so I am less inclined to throw a fit about the diversity mantra being critical to the classroom. Here it really is because just as we expose our countrymen to foreigners, more importantly they (an important class of people in their own country) are positively exposed to us and take that back with them. (I know there are exceptions).

If they get accepted, they still have to get the visa, which is difficult. Then secure funds to travel, pay tuition (scholarships are not easy to come by), and finally live.

My financial quality of life here, which is on a mid-level USG salary, not a multi national corporate mind you, would require, easily a quarter to half a million dollars a year in the US.

Indian friends of mine here who are well-educated and considered upper middle class by Indian standards make the equivalent of $1000 a month.

[thoughtomator]

Maybe they're realizing that few U.S. schools actually educate anyone anymore.

[Brilliant]

The title of the article says they are "shunning" US schools, but the text says that foreign enrollment increased by 1%.

[WL-law]

This "story" was presented this morning on NPR, and I was listening with my high-school age son. He IMMEDIATELY picked up on the fundamental lie in the story, i.e., that the number of foreign students factuallly INCREASED, and yet the 'newsreader' said that foreigners were "shunning" the US.

So -- my son now REALLY understands media bias, so the story served an unintended purpose.

By the way, this lie is worsened by the fact that the number of college 'seats' is a fixed number, i.e., this is a sum-zero game. So if the number of foreign students INCREASE, then the number of native US students DECREASES.

So the real story is "percentage of US college placements occupied by US students continues its downward trend"!.

[Jabba the Nutt]

Main Entry: shun
Pronunciation: 'sh&n
Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): shunned; shun·ning
Etymology: Middle English shunnen, from Old English scunian
Date: before 12th century
: to avoid deliberately and especially habitually synonym see ESCAPE
- shun·ner noun

I guess, foreign students have been escaping from American colleges, where they have been held in slavery. Ah, the American Media, no one can question their patriotism.

[.cnI redruM]

This hits professors in their grant $$$.

1) Foreign students who can't make it back home can be negotiated into accepting lower stipends and thereby dropping wages throughout the academic work force.

2) The Gov. will often subsidize these students, giving the college in question a guarunteed payment.

This is academia's answer to 'outsourcing'. It allows professors to gratuitously underpay their graduate assistants and post-docs.

[Cronos]

My financial quality of life here, which is on a mid-level USG salary, not a multi national corporate mind you, would require, easily a quarter to half a million dollars a year in the US.

That's interesting.

But the idea of getting the best students to study in home unis is similar to the idea of getting students to study in Roman elycees, and it did serve them in good stead. As you did point out, it does create a class of folks well disposed to the US which is a good thing

[B4Ranch]

The increase is probably due to the states that are giving illegal Mexicans the in-state tuition prices, while of course taking seats from Americans.

[TrebleRebel]

Cool....Texas universities are considering capping their enrollment. This just makes it easier.

[cookcounty]

"I wonder what the increase (decrease) in foreign professors is. I've always found it strange that foreign students come to America to be taught by foreign professors. Heck, why don't they just stay home?"

....but here, they can live in the Land of Liberty, and that's even better than any degree.