International students exhibit little enthusiasm or exuberance at studying under President Donald Trump’s presidency in the U.S. Parents of international students do not have any confidence in Donald Trump. The first few months were quite chaotic. In his inaugural speech, Donald Trump announced two travel bans and also suspended the refugee program. Also, he hinted at restricting the skilled worker visas, which Indians used frequently. That is why the guardians of international students were not impressed with President Trump.
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International students are not that much interested in the U.S.
On a recent trip to India, Alan Cramb, the President of Chicago University, gave answers to various American work visas, tuition, and dorms.
Cramb said that whatever is happening in the U.S., it is getting reported and interpreted by all the countries. People are observing everything that is happening and making their conclusions. Cramb, who also heads the Illinois Institute of Technology (where fifty percent of the student body comprises international students), remarked.
The U.S. is a dream destination for many international students. At least, it has been so before Trump was elected as the President. The top-notch universities were the dream destination for international students for their studies and lucrative career opportunities. However, the scenario changed after Trump became the U.S. President. After becoming the President of the country, he announced new rules for student visas with many restrictions. There was a sharp decline in the number of new enrollees. The trend continued in the following years with stiff competition from the other countries and erratic COVID-19 response. The new policies and restrictions are bound to significantly affect the workforce, irrespective of who wins the presidential election in November 2020.
Trump has taken many steps during the COVID-19, which has infuriated the international students. Earlier in 2020, he announced that international students could not stay in the country if the Universities are offering virtual classes. Many international students were forced to go back to their home country against their wishes. Plus, they had to spend extra money on flight tickets. That did not go well with the international students. But, who will appease Trump? Later, Trump rolled back the restriction, but the damage has already been done. International students are not showing any interest in studying in the U.S.
Educators and financial experts are unhappy with the cold response from international students. They know one fact quite well. If international students do not study in U.S. Universities, then the country’s revenue will drop significantly. They are in damage control mode. The next few months will tell if they have been successful in attracting international students.
International students are not happy with Donald Trump.
International students are not happy with Donald Trump. That is a bitter fact everyone knows. And why would that be? Donald Trump is the first president in U.S. history who has altered and modified the immigration system more than any other country president. He is notorious for imposing restrictions to give a powerful nationalist message to thrilling supporters. His nationalistic message may have appealed to his supporters but has infuriated critics big time. Critics call Trump’s response to his signature issue racist, insular, and xenophobic.
America is losing its appeal in front of international students. The Associated Press preliminary observation on Trump’s immigration policies has revealed this fact, and the restriction on international students has tarnished the country’s image on the global stage. The country is not only going to lose talent but revenue in the long run.
Racism is one significant factor in the U.S. Many international students from Nigeria are not interested in studying in U.S. Universities as they are afraid of getting bullied due to racism. They are not ready to get forced due to their skin color.
As per the statistics, around 5.3 million international students study abroad. And the number has doubled since 2001. However, the international students’ participation in the U.S. has dropped from twenty-eight percent to twenty-one percent in the last few years, a significant observation made by the Association of International Educators or NAFSA.
Fresh international students in the U.S. have dropped by three percent in the last three years. First, there was a three percent drop in 2016. Then, there was a seven and one percent drop in international students’ participation in the country.
Even Cramb could not deny a growing tendency among international students to go back to their home country. The number of international students has dropped by twenty-five percent from 2016 to 2018.
There is no definite reason for studying at U.S. Universities. That is the honest feedback of international students. They are getting better opportunities when it comes to higher studies in countries like Canada. Countries like Canada are coming up with student-friendly options to lure international students. America, on the other hand, is walking on a different path.
The Department of Homeland Security has brought new rules for imposing restrictions on the student visa terms. They are coming up with fixed student visa terms. Earlier, student visas were valid until the completion of studies. That meant visas were valid as long as students were enrolled in the Universities. Student visas will come with a fixed term. It will stretch to a full four years. Student visas for students from countries like Syria and Iran will be restricted to two years only.
Conclusion
The result of the 2020 presidential election does not matter anymore. The country has to work hard to appease international students. Experts are discussing various ways to attract international students. They are promoting the fact that U.S. higher education is affordable and attainable everywhere. They have established community centers in several countries so that international students can get access to U.S. higher studies without leaving their home country. That gives them financial and emotional security too. International students do not have to make international trips amidst the pandemic. Plus, as international students do not have to travel extensively, they can also save tons of money.
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