Is the economy downturn affecting international students studying US?
Everyday, we watch the news, read the blogs and listen to podcasts, gather with coworkers and friends, everybody is talking about the same topics – economic recession, job loss, hiring freeze, unemployment rate, saving tips, economic downturn survival tips, etc. The economic crisis affecting many industries is no longer a new topic. As an international student, do you or other international students concern the economy recession? Will less students study abroad US?
According to the Data Tables for Open Doors 2008 International Students, “623,805 international students studied in the U.S. in 2007/2008, up 7 percent compared to the previous year.” The financial contribution of international students is around $15.5 billions. The numbers of the foreign student enrollments from the top leading seven countries are India, China, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Taiwan and Mexico.
Although the enrollment numbers have increased last academic year, the statistics can’t guarantee whether there will be more international students coming in 2008/2009 due to the economy downturn.
On the other hand, what concerns me is whether the company will sponsor CPT (internship for international students,) OPT (work authorization to international students after graduation,) and H-1B (working visa). In early March, I attended a job fair sponsored by UTD Career Center. It is no surprise that there were less than 10 companies out of hundred who were willing to hire CPT, or international students (I must say it clearly.) Among those companies, they were mainly hiring computer engineers, electrical engineers, etc. As for a website and graphic designer like me, it sound frustrated. However, I still have hope in ATEC/EMAC as the growing of emerging media and social networking, we may innovate new businesses to change the world in the years to come.