Record Number of International Students in the U.S.
During the 2012-2013 school year, the United States had the highest number of international student enrollment in its entire history. For the past seven years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of international students in the United States. Since most international students pay for their college education out-of-pocket, the large number of international students has boosted the economy greatly. Many international students in the U.S. come from China. Although there are many great universities in China, many students come here to for the opportunities and freedoms to explore their interests that universities in the U.S. give them. Interestingly, the most popular discipline for Chinese students is business, while Indian students tend to pursue majors in the STEM fields. California and New York are the two states with the highest international student population. Almost every state in the U.S. is increasing from year-to-year in terms of their international student population. It’s exciting to think of just how many international students from all over the world come to study in the U.S. The presence of international students in our universities is vital for creating a much-needed diversity. Even though the number of students from the U.S. that study abroad is lower than the number of international students who come to study in the U.S., I believe that this number will definitely grow in the years to come. |
Grateful for International Students
There are many reasons why Americans should be grateful for the large number of international students in the United States. International students bring in about $22 billion from tuition and other educational expenses each year. Our economy would be much worse off without this income from international students. More important than that, however, international students gain valuable knowledge while in the U.S. and convey this knowledge while back in their hometown. They learn the things that they can do in order to make a change in the world and they implement them. They gain inspiration and valuable insight while studying in the U.S. and they take this back home with them. While participating in community service here, they learn compassion and gain a much wider view of the U.S. Many international students, both in high school and in college, have gone back to their home countries and started an activism project. Not only do international students learn from us, but we learn from them, as well. It’s important to take yourself out of your element and experience new things. It’s admirable seeing many international students come to the U.S. without any fear of starting a new life here and they make the best of what they’re given. Gratitude is definitely a quality that we can all learn from international students. |