A recent report shows that the number of international students choosing to study in the U.S. is declining as compared to those who choose to study in other countries. The problem is affecting AU as well. In 2001, the student body was 11 percent international students; last year it was only 6 percent.
A variety of factors could contribute to this phenomenon. It's harder to get a visa to come to the U.S. after restrictions were tightened post-Sept. 11. Also, overall political conditions are not appealing to international students, particularly those from the the Middle East. Tuition in the U.S. is also astronomically higher than tuition students would pay if they studied in their home countries or studied in different foreign countries. It's also harder for international students enrolled at American colleges to study abroad.
If increasing enrollment of international students is a priority at AU, the administration should offer more scholarships to entice those students to campus. In today's world, it's vitally important for American students to learn from international students. Every international student who chooses not to study in the U.S. is a missed opportunity for increased intercultural understanding.
