2008 Woodie Awards
International student rate increasing
James Crugnale
Issue date: 12/1/06 Section: News
Originally published: 11/30/06 at 9:16 PM EST
Last update: 12/2/06 at 12:50 PM EST
- Page 1 of 1
The number of international students studying in the United States improved 8 percent from last fall, according to this year's "Open Doors" survey from the Institute of International Education.
Plattsburgh State University College has reaped the benefits of the recent surge due to its aggressive recruitment, according to Jacqueline Vogl, PSUC director of International Admissions.
"We have one of the highest international student populations outside of the university centers," Vogl said. "Of the 60 non-center schools, Plattsburgh is the fourth largest."
Still, an October report from the American Council on Education's Center for International Initiatives indicated the United States' leadership position as an international destination was "significantly challenged and may not be sustainable if current trends continued."
Hussein Mukadem, a PSUC junior majoring in International Business from Mumbai, India, explained the procedures required for studying in the United States were difficult.
"The visa process is not guaranteed," he said. "I had to collect all of my family's background and financial papers required for the interview. I didn't think it was necessary. After (Sept. 11), they've denied a lot of my friends. They don't give valid reasons. They should at least tell them why they were denied."
Mukadem thinks these complexities create fear for students who do not want to take such demanding steps to get a visa.
Vogl agreed with Mukadem's unease over the visa process.
"I think it is one of the things that keep students from coming to the U.S.," she said. "There's a serious lack of oversight and concern for due process."
A November study by Discover America Partnership designated the entry process as the worst in the world, with many foreign travelers characterizing immigration officials as "rude."
Mukadem said while the visa process was arduous, taking more than six months and costing him approximately $100, he was most upset at the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
SEVIS is a government mandated computerized system, enacted shortly after Sept. 11, that requires collecting surveillance data on all exchange or non-immigrant students studying at American colleges and universities requiring them to pay an additional fee for the program.
"I feel like the SEVIS fee is racial discrimination," he said. "U.S. citizens don't care because they're not paying it. It's racist."
PSUC junior James Catalfamo said he also was concerned about the ramifications SEVIS has on civil rights.
"On one hand, I see their point of view, they got to keep track of possible terrorists but on the other, international students are always being watched," Catalfamo said.
Despite pressures, the United States still maintains the most international students in the world with nearly 565,000 enrolled throughout the country.
Plattsburgh State University College has reaped the benefits of the recent surge due to its aggressive recruitment, according to Jacqueline Vogl, PSUC director of International Admissions.
"We have one of the highest international student populations outside of the university centers," Vogl said. "Of the 60 non-center schools, Plattsburgh is the fourth largest."
Still, an October report from the American Council on Education's Center for International Initiatives indicated the United States' leadership position as an international destination was "significantly challenged and may not be sustainable if current trends continued."
Hussein Mukadem, a PSUC junior majoring in International Business from Mumbai, India, explained the procedures required for studying in the United States were difficult.
"The visa process is not guaranteed," he said. "I had to collect all of my family's background and financial papers required for the interview. I didn't think it was necessary. After (Sept. 11), they've denied a lot of my friends. They don't give valid reasons. They should at least tell them why they were denied."
Mukadem thinks these complexities create fear for students who do not want to take such demanding steps to get a visa.
Vogl agreed with Mukadem's unease over the visa process.
"I think it is one of the things that keep students from coming to the U.S.," she said. "There's a serious lack of oversight and concern for due process."
A November study by Discover America Partnership designated the entry process as the worst in the world, with many foreign travelers characterizing immigration officials as "rude."
Mukadem said while the visa process was arduous, taking more than six months and costing him approximately $100, he was most upset at the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
SEVIS is a government mandated computerized system, enacted shortly after Sept. 11, that requires collecting surveillance data on all exchange or non-immigrant students studying at American colleges and universities requiring them to pay an additional fee for the program.
"I feel like the SEVIS fee is racial discrimination," he said. "U.S. citizens don't care because they're not paying it. It's racist."
PSUC junior James Catalfamo said he also was concerned about the ramifications SEVIS has on civil rights.
"On one hand, I see their point of view, they got to keep track of possible terrorists but on the other, international students are always being watched," Catalfamo said.
Despite pressures, the United States still maintains the most international students in the world with nearly 565,000 enrolled throughout the country.
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