International Education Week celebrates students who attend college someplace other than in their home countries. Their curiosity is building a more democratic, secure and prosperous world. This week, ShareAmerica looks at opportunities available to international students in the U.S.
Opening doors
In the last academic year, nearly 900,000 international students studied in the U.S. — a record number. Almost a third of them were here for the first time. Where did they go and what did they study?
This year’s Open Doors Report, published by the Institute of International Education, tells us business and management led the fields of study for international students, with engineering in second place. These students are interested in the U.S. reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship.
In a video address celebrating the start of International Education Week, Secretary Kerry stressed the importance of diversity in international exchanges: diversity of people, diversity of degrees and diversity of places of study.
International students in the U.S. were represented in tech and business hubs of California and New York, but also in other areas where educational opportunities abound, such as Texas, Indiana and Illinois.
Meanwhile, of the 289,408 U.S. students studying outside the U.S., the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) drew the most interest, with the social sciences a close second. The most popular destination region for U.S. students was Europe, followed by Latin America and Asia.
Exchange students’ role in the global economy
Studies show international experience is increasingly valued by employers everywhere. When students attend schools in another country, they cross socioeconomic, cultural, political, religious and geographic borders to engage in not just classrooms, but communities worldwide.
Secretary Kerry said recently, “Nothing brings about a common understanding more than effectively getting the chance to live in another country, see the world through another lens and forge friendships that can last for decades.”
Keep up with information about U.S. study at EducationUSA and learn more with other ShareAmerica stories on study in the USA. If you’re ready to start exploring your options, sign up for EducationUSA’s Online College Fair on November 19. Registration is free, and you’ll get the chance to chat online with representatives of more than 150 excellent U.S. colleges and universities.
