Continuing our series this week examining the impact of foreign students on local economies and highlighting real-life stories about their presence on campuses and communities around the country, we turn to the midwestern states. There, foreign students spent more than $3.5 billion during the 2008-2009 academic year across the region, according to NAFSA’s Economic Impact Statements released Monday. Overall, foreign students and their dependents contributed $17.6 billion to the U.S. economy in the same time period.
See how each state benefited in this chart and keep reading to hear how one immigration coordinator in Ohio has witnessed first-hand the impact of the economy on her foreign students and her community, and what you can do to help.
When Dollars and Cents are Making Headlines We Have to Reach for Something Tangible
I can, without a doubt, say that I love my job. Growing up, children dream of being a doctor, a firefighter or even a movie star. Although I didn’t dream of being an immigration coordinator, at this point in my life it is hard to imagine a career path that would be more fulfilling.
Every day I meet with students from all over the world. We discuss how they can renew their visa when they return home to see their family, how challenging it is to keep up with the fast pace of academia and even how to respond to the smiling American student walking past exclaiming “Hi, how are you?” However, in the past year or so there is one recurring theme that has dominated more of my advising time than any other – paying for an American education.
If you watch the evening news or read your local paper, you are aware that economies all over the world have suffered great losses. We’ve felt it in our own community. I have a colleague whose husband lost his job when his family’s business was forced to close its doors. Similarly, we have international students whose families have been forced to close their businesses more than half a world away.
Some of the hardest conversations I have had with our students relate to how they are going to pay tuition and living expenses for another year or two in order to complete their degree. We have students who understand that they need to return home for now while others are filled with tears and disappointment that their years of planning and hard work now need to come to a halt. Even more troubling are the students who decide to remain here and struggle.
As international educators, we advocate the intrinsic value that cultural exchange brings to our campuses and essentially to the United States. However, when dollars and cents are making headlines we have to reach for something tangible. NAFSA has published its annual Economic Impact Statements to put a dollar amount on the impact of international education in the United States. The monetary impact international students and their dependents have on our economy is astounding. It is time for us to advocate not only the cultural value but the economic value as well. Your senators and representatives need to hear from you.
We are all busy. But are we too busy to speak out for what we believe in? NAFSA’s made it easy for us. Visit NAFSA’s Take Action Center. There, you can customize letters on behalf of international education to send to your Ccongressional representatives. We cannot wait any longer. Now is the time to take action. You can make the difference. ACT now.
Megan C. McCarthy is an immigration coordinator with the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University. Currently, she serves as the NAFSA state whip for Ohio and will represent Region VI as the KC-ISSS liaison in 2010. These reflections are representative of her personal views only.
If you want to share your story, visit NAFSA’s Take Action Center today, and be on the lookout for more state-level data and personal stories throughout the week.
What an interesting article. As I am an American living overseas, I can only reiterate your statements Megan. The importance of these exchanges are not only key to the individuals’ growth, but also to the growth of our international relations around the world. Keep up the good work and I’m sure being a firefighter isn’t nearly as exciting!
Nice Article Megan !
The exchanges are good for us and for our international relations across the world. Such a nice way to expand out relations with other countries
Awesome work for us and our country
Keep It Up
As a former adviser at the Office of International Affairs at a university in Texas, you’re obviously preaching to the converted. Let’s hope that your words reach out to as many people as possible, especially those well-placed to do something about it!
Thanks for the article and the link to the “Take Action Center.”
Having been the American college student who studied in Italy, I am fully aware of the imprint it leaves IN you and on others the rest of your life.
Interesting article! As a Manager in an international company, I see everyday the benefits of a cross-cultural environment. It has an impact it has on both our employees’ personal development and organisational culture and performance. Having students prepared for that journey is invaluable.
It IS important to continue to foster global relations. Having students interact at this formative time in their lives can only reap rewards down the road. My husband is an educator at a community college here in Florida, and we see lots of students from different countries. Each has brought an added facet to our lives. At a time when our colleges and universities are struggling to make ends meet as well, the international student can bring not only dollars, but more importantly, a broader perspective to the classroom experience.
Thanks for the link and bringing this issue to our attention.
Interesting article, Megan. I used to teach International students English (in the UK) so have met many who have benefitted from these exchanges and it can only enrich the country they are visiting.
Glad you seem so happy in your post there! Good luck with it all. Lynn.
You’re right, Megan. We’re all enriched by the presence of international students on our campuses. I know we learn just as much from them as they do from us. As an American who got her own education in Paris and paid essentially nothing, then sent her own kids to American universities, I’m aghast at the cost these students have to incur in the first place. I’ll be happy to visit the NAFSA site and to contact my representatives from here in NYC.
(And it’s a pleasure to hear from someone with such a passion for the work she does on behalf of others. Good luck!)
I’ve been a volunteer at the Ohio State University international student events such as Thanksgiving and Taste of OSU. As someone who has had the experience as an American living in a foreign country, I know how it feels to be away from your family. I’ve met a lot of international students and have learned so much from the students about their cultures. Had I not had that privilege to meet these students, my life would not be as rich! I thank OSU and the international students who have chosen to attend this university for expanding my horizons.
As former Corporate Relations Director at the American Business School Paris, I am very sensitive to the benefits of foreign students to and from the U.S.
In addition to the interesting Megan C. McCarthy’s article, I would add that one of the best added value in international student exchanges, is to build trust between countries, which is a fundamental in the world trade activities. A good reason to support Megan’s purpose.
Wow, honestly WOW. Thank you to everyone who has read this article and been introduced to NAFSA’s blog. We all work incredibly hard to make sure people see the larger picture of what we do in international education. I appreciate the time each of you has taken to not only read my thoughts but post such kind feedback. It is very validating.
Many international educators, including myself, go to work everyday because we want to make the world a better place. I know that it sounds incredibly cheesy and cliché but that is at the heart of what we do. International relations are the key to our national security and the betterment of humanity. Pass it on.
Excellent Megan! As an American living in the Middle East and working in the area of Executive Education (and a mother paying American college tuition) your article really hit home. Your passion for making a difference inspires many . . . both on American soil and foreign ones.
I miss working with you megan, but from the first time we met I knew you were an international educator at heart! Our work is like nothing else, we love it and as I always remind people, we are in the business of world peace. If internationals come tot he US and we treat them with respect and love, there is no way they can wage war with the USA. I wish every American can spend some time abroad, and I hope more internationals come to the US! Looking forward to having you on KCISSS.