Blogs:

Scores of students fill in forms and applications from across the globe to acquire admission into the American colleges. For many years now, America has been the favored nation for students to seek admission in; the number of foreign students coming in each year has now dropped drastically from the year 2000.

In the last decade, America saw 26 percent of the million students enroll in their colleges while they applied for international studies every year. While the number of students coming in from different nations to study in UK and Australia has increased, the number of students applying for degrees in USA has decreased to a great extent.

The percentage has fallen to 18.7 from 26.  This is not a good sign especially when you compare the increasing number of students heading towards other countries for their higher studies. In the recent past, it is found that the number of students graduating in America each year is dropping as well.

In short the education system in America which was known to be the best is not as popular amongst international students as it used to be in the past.

The education department’s current director stated that the stringent rules introduced for Visas for students coming into the country are another reason why the popularity has dwindled. In the light of 9/11 attacks, the security measures have been tightened and the government is always on high alert. This is not a good motivation for students to come to into our country, according to him.

The increased cost of living combined with high fees in colleges make it difficult for international students to afford American higher education. Countries like New Zealand, Canada and Australia offer similar courses but at half the fee price and so many students have changed their preferences to these countries. Added to this, the immigrant policies in these countries are more relaxed as compared to America.

Even the European nations are waking up to inviting students to their countries for various higher education courses. Therefore, America has tough competition at hand and has to work really hard to lure back students.

In fact, gradually universities across the globe are waking up to the interesting and lucrative phenomenon of education tourism as it is called. Students from different countries travel for higher education opportunities and then continue to work in the country they study to gain experience.

The economy of that country then benefits as many students come in to study and they are paying a lot of money to do so. On the other hand they stay back and work so again an educated workforce is created that work towards the interest of the country.

However, when there is a significant fall in the number of students coming in from other countries, there is definitely a deficit in the economy as well because a lot of funds that come in through these students are now being transferred to other nations. The only way out is to come up with a fool proof education system plan to attract students back to America just like the earlier times.