By Andrea Schmidt
This fall the number of international students at the University is surprisingly low. Out of the 1,800 freshmen, approximately 20 of them are international students, according to Student Enrollment.
“It’s important to maintain a diverse student body in order to enrich the student population, as well as enhance enrollment growth,” Gigi Lamens, vice president for enrollment management, said.
The University’s broad array of academic programs and close proximity to the cultural and educational opportunities of New York City, gives international students have many opportunities.
“I’d really recommend it to anyone. It makes a lot of sense. You gain practical knowledge as well as a great education, Shyla Kannambadi, a 24 year old international student from India working on her MBA in international business, said.
Although the University, as well as other schools in the United States, can provide international students with a rewarding experience, a survey conducted by the Institute of International Education showed a decline in the amount of international students enrolling.
Approximately 44 percent of survey respondents reported a decline in the number of newly admitted international students for the fall 2003 semester. The survey also showed significant drops from several different nations. China reported a 36 percent drop, Saudi Arabia 29 percent, Pakistan 27 percent, the United Arab Emirates 22 percent and Egypt 16 percent. Although some respondents reported an increase, for example India increased 31 percent and Korea at 32 percent, the reported declines far outweighed the reported increases.
”Since 9/11, it seems as if the number of international students has dropped,” Lamens said. “It has also been harder for students to get a Visa since then.”
Kannambadi agreed, stating the methods of screening should change, because she also had difficulty getting her Visa.
“After 9/11, it was difficult. They ask you really stupid questions, like, ‘Do you really have intent to study?’ They badger the wrong people,” Kannambadi said.
Prior to 9/11 students applying for a Visa had to prove they could pay for their education, as well as provide a documented intention to return home after their course of study. Now, the process is much more time consuming and expensive. There are more forms to fill out, interviews to undergo, fingerprints to provide and fees to cover.
Health insurance is also not provided to international students. Students are responsible for purchasing their own health insurance through the University at about $600 a year.
Students are also monitored by a computer system called Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which collects, maintains and tracks data pertaining to international students. SEVIS gives the University the ability to communicate directly with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Although the process of obtaining a Visa and the restrictions international students face when they arrive may deter them from studying at the University or any college in the United States, it is important to show the benefits of studying here can significantly outweigh any disadvantages.
Student Enrollment is in the beginning stages of implementing new recruitment strategies.
“We need to be more aggressive in trying to recruit international students,” Lamens said. “We send out letters and mailings, but we don’t go anywhere. We need better travel opportunities for our recruiters to be able to go to other countries.”
A less tedious application process and a better Web site are also some ways in which the University is planning on recruiting more international students. However, the best way, Lamens said, is for international students already studying at the University to act as spokespersons for those who are thinking about studying here.
“Our own international students are the best ambassadors,” she said. “We need to give them the opportunity to interact with students from other countries.”
International students only make up 20 of the 1,800 freshmen. (Brian Barry/The Chronicle)