The number of international students enrolled in U.S. higher
education institutions has decreased for the first time in over 30
years, according to a report released last Wednesday.
Open Doors 2004, an annual report published by the Institute of
International Education, showed a decrease of 2.4 percent in
international student enrollment during the 2003-2004 school year,
but some universities such as UCLA and the University of Southern
California continued to experience an increase.
The overall decline in international student enrollment in the
past year has been attributed to a variety of factors and may be a
sign of low enrollment in future years, since most international
students pursue full degrees over several years.
Allan Goodman, president and CEO of the IIE, said in a press
release, “The decrease in number of international students
this year is explained by a variety of factors affecting students
differently in different sending countries, and includes a wider
range of educational opportunities at home, stiff competition from
other host countries, rising U.S. tuition costs and the complex
process of adjustment to tighter screening of visa
applicants.”
Though there has been a national decline, the enrollment changes
are specific to each institution, said Deborah Gardner, a
spokeswoman for the IIE.
Thirteen of the 25 institutions hosting the largest numbers of
international students have actually reported an increase in the
number of international students enrolled.
“Obviously, since 9/11, there’s been new visa
restrictions put into place. Some schools have been very proactive
about it. They’ve been helpful to the students. It’s a
function of getting to students from where they are. Maybe they
have done their marketing abroad and have been able to help
students deal with the obstacles,” Gardner said.
Patricia S. Harrison, assistant secretary of state for
educational and cultural affairs, said in a press release she
believes the United States is still the best place in the world to
seek higher education.
She added that she is confident enrollment numbers will improve
in the near future.
Despite an almost 4 percent decline in international student
enrollment in California, the number of international students at
UCLA increased by 393, from 3,927 students during the 2002-2003
school year to 4,320 students in 2003-2004.
At UCLA, the Office of International Students and Scholars
offers both counseling and advocacy and support for UCLA
international students. These services include guidance and advice
on maintaining students’ non-immigrant visa status.
The Dashew International Center also helps international
students adjust to living in the Los Angeles community through
special orientation, language and social programs.
Other UC campuses have similar offices which offer advice and
help to international students.
USC has enrolled the most international students in the United
States for the past three years. Their international student
enrollment increased by 377 students, from 6,270 in the 2002-2003
school year to 6,647 in 2003-2004.
Dixon Johnson, the executive director of the Office of
International Services at USC, said the quality of the
school’s programs, its location in a multi-ethnic area and
the fact that USC is a private university that is not under the
restraints of a quota system all contribute to the school’s
success in continuing to enroll a large number of international
students.
USC maintains four overseas offices that are involved in
recruiting in Tokyo, Tai Pei, Hong Kong and Jakarta. The school
also relies on its international alumni to help recruit more
students.
Johnson said USC is not unique in its recruiting efforts, since
many public schools are also involved in international
recruiting.
The efforts to bring international students has led to over $13
billion in contributions to the U.S. economy by international
students and their families in the form of tuition, living expenses
and related costs, according to the Department of Commerce.
Yet the need for international students in U.S. schools may not
be based entirely on economics.
“We are preparing students for the 20th century. The
problems that we face don’t respect international
borders,” Johnson said.
“It is important that people make international contacts,
and the best time to do that is while they’re at
school.”