Why International Students Come to Study at US Colleges and Universities
Each year, the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs receives 25 million inquiries from prospective students around the world who want to study at US educational programs and institutions. This number is growing quickly, as US colleges and universities recently have had the number of international students increase by 7%, with new enrollments up by 10%. In fact, a record high enrollment of close to 625,000 for the 2007/08 academic year was recently reported by the Open Doors report which is published by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Highlights
- Financial aid and college/university studies – One appeal of US college or university studies for international students is that these types of studies have the most available financial aid.
- Immersive experiences – For those motivated by gaining the most experiential kinds of education, studies through exchange programs and vocational schools can be appealing.
- Transfer flexibility – The flexibility and relative ease of moving from one US school to another, such as from a community college to a university, is of interest for many international students considering going to the US.
Why is studying in the US so attractive to people around the world? Many consider it to be an excellent platform for exploring the world. A lure for the adventurous, curious, and courageous, traveling the globe may be a dream that can only come true through US-based studies via exchange programs, colleges and universities, and vocational schools.
- Exchange programs - Trading places with someone from another country for a semester can be a great way to get first exposure to global travel, and may offer the most immersive experience. Living with families, traveling from city to city, and studying everything from language and literature to geography and economics can provide an experiential education unlike any other.
- Colleges and universities - Enrolling for a semester, year or degree at a postsecondary educational institution can offer all the conveniences of housing and meals, libraries and computer labs, easy access to medical care, entertainment and cultural experiences, and the opportunity to share the experience with many other international students as well as US students. Financial aid resources are most plentiful for this kind of foreign study, for undergraduate, graduate and specialized professions students.
- Vocational schools - Affordable programs that provide skills training for specific trades can provide a degree or certificate in a year or two, which for many is an ideal length of time to study abroad. Most community colleges, trade schools and private training programs offer more flexible schedules, smaller classes, intensive hands-on training, and a more immersive experience than four-year institutions.
Although these kinds of programs are also available in other countries, the quality, diversity and flexibility of US academic programs, and the wide range of tuition costs, offer students studying in the US a broad scope of opportunities unlike anywhere else.
- Quality - A system of national accreditation makes finding a quality educational program or school a simple process. US colleges and universities must meet rigorous standards in order to be certified by accrediting organizations recognized by The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the US Department of Education. These high standards for faculty, facilities and resources are recognized the world over. In addition, national organizations in specific industries provide accreditation to college-level programs, helping to ensure that graduates of these programs have received an education consistent with industry standards.
- Diversity and affordability - In America, there are many different kinds of colleges, universities, private schools, degree programs and vocational schools - and varying levels of entry requirements, tuition and financial assistance. The depth and breadth of these choices means that almost any international student should be able to participate in a rewarding path of academic advancement.
- Flexibility - Most U.S. universities and colleges work together to make sure that credits earned at one program transfer to another. Therefore, it is relatively easy for international students to move from one school to another during their residence in the US without interfering with their academic goals. It is common for students seeking four-year bachelor's degrees to earn two-year associate's degrees from a community college, and then complete the remaining two years of study at four-year colleges.
For students who have chosen a field of study, the opportunity to get global exposure by attending some of the best universities in world is an important step in professional advancement. For all students who choose to expand their world view, it represents a chance to grow personally, gaining new insight into their larger purpose.
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