Replies

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- If Ablatif Rahmani hadn't been so determined, he might not have made it back to Purdue University to finish his master's degree this year.

The 32-year-old law professor, who had taught at Kabul University, returned to Afghanistan last year because of a family medical emergency -- and then couldn't get a visa in time to make it back for the spring 2004 semester.

In this post-Sept. 11th world, Rahmani's troubles are becoming more typical. A growing number of international students are finding it more difficult to reach institutions such as Purdue and Indiana universities -- and fewer are even trying.

Purdue's foreign student enrollment dropped this fall by 3.4 percent, or 173 students, to 4,912 -- the first decrease in more than three decades. IU's main campus experienced a 7 percent decline in such students to 3,251 -- the first dip on record. Ball State University's total dipped in the past two years from 468 to 381.

Nationwide, the problem started even sooner, according to the annual Open Doors report released today by the Institute of International Education, a New York-based nonprofit educational-exchange program.

A survey of more than 2,700 universities and colleges found foreign student enrollment had dropped by 2.4 percent in 2003-04 to 572,509 -- the first national decline since 1971. The decrease of 5 percent in undergraduate enrollments was offset partially by a 2.5 percent increase in graduate students.

"There's a perception around the world (that) it is difficult to get a visa to come to the United States," said Michael Brzezinski, director of Purdue's International Students and Scholars program. "They think, 'What's the use? I won't be able to get there in time.' "

The Open Doors report was based on data from 2003-04, before the national slide was felt at IU or Purdue. Both showed increases in international student enrollment that school year, when the entire state's total rose to 13,586 students, an increase of less than 1 percent. Purdue ranked 3rd and IU was 11th in international student enrollment among universities nationwide.

IU and Purdue international studies officials say the problem is part perception, part reality. And unless the U.S. government makes the visa process run more smoothly and quickly, they say the numbers may continue to drop.

In Rahmani's case, his student visa allowed only one entry to the United States. That meant another trip through the tightened-up process to get another visa, and that included making four trips to Pakistan, where his visa was processed.

Reasons for the national decline last year, as well as IU's and Purdue's more recent dips, stem largely from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the resulting tightening of U.S. visa regulations. Among the rules are that each person requesting a visa must have a personal interview by U.S. embassy personnel and security clearance checks that can take up to several months for certain persons, including those studying in scientific and technical fields.

Purdue graduate student Abhishek K. Garg, 25, came from India in 2000. Although his visa was denied twice for what he called "whimsical reasons," he said his friends who want to study here now have a tougher time.

"It's become very, very difficult," he said. "Even in India, there are many problems."

Tougher visa regulations aren't the only reason for fewer international students studying here.

Christopher Viers, IU's associate dean and director of International Services, said more and better opportunities are available for students to study at home and competition has increased from countries, such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, that use the visa issued in the United States as a marketing tool.

The most troubling figures, say Viers and Brzezinski, are that new foreign student applications are down considerably. For example, applications from new international students were down 21 percent this year at IU-Bloomington. Graduate student applications were down 25 percent at Purdue.

Nationwide, the number of Chinese students applying to attend U.S. graduate schools this fall dropped 45 percent compared with fall 2003, according to a survey by the Council of Graduate Schools of its 450 member institutions. Applications from India were down 28 percent, according to the survey.

But the enrollment picture isn't as grim at some campuses.

At Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, foreign student enrollment rose nearly 12 percent in 2003-04, plus another percent this fall. IUPUI officials say the increases are due to its comprehensive range of programs from both IU and Purdue; they add that foreign students also are attracted to urban centers.

International officials have hope, too, that changes will come from a congressional hearing on the issue conducted last month by Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind.

In a roundtable discussion Monday among university and state department officials, Brzezinski said he learned that steps are being taken to shorten the visa process beginning in July.

Among the suggestions being considered: security clearances for the full duration of a student's program; giving officials discretion to waive the required interview; and priority processing of applications pending more than 30 days.

Rahmani didn't make it back to Purdue until Sunday; he said the process he had to go through to return was complicated -- but worth it.

He's studying higher education so he can help improve Afghanistan's system. That goal is so important to him that he didn't mind the fingerprinting or the security checks.

"We do expect that," he said. "It's for the security of everyone."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/6/193587-5226-009.html