Frequently debated topics regarding foreign students include the (lack of) educational opportunities and scholarships for native-born citizens, the merit (or lack thereof) of cultural exchange, issues of national security, and the perception that many of these students permanently immigrate to the U.S. and enter into the job market (thus taking jobs away from U.S.-born individuals). As is the case with any debate, there are various arguments for each of the aforementioned themes.
There exist numerous programs through which students from other countries can come to the U.S. to spend a year or longer at an American university. The University of Southern California is the top host university; California is top host state, and New York is in second place. This trend has led foreign post-secondary student enrollment to grow to the point at which nearly one out of every twenty students in U.S. colleges and universities is a foreign student.
Arguments for an International Student Presence in U.S. Post-Secondary Schools
Multiculturalists and many educators argue that the presence of foreign students in U.S. schools is an asset in terms of providing international awareness and greater cultural understanding to American students. Often, students can learn more about another culture by interacting with or befriending an international student than they could ever learn in the classroom. Language professors and instructors are typically happy to have native speakers on campus and often invite them into the classroom.
Another argument for an international student presence is that their research and contributions add to the success of the post-secondary institution they are attending, creating a sort of “international think tank” atmosphere. Others argue that allowing foreign students to study in the U.S. is good for America’s image on the international stage.
Arguments Against an International Student Presence in U.S. Post-Secondary Schools
On the other side of the argument, there are many who believe that the fast growth in the foreign student population has negatively impacted educational opportunities for American students. A more extreme viewpoint is that the rapid increase in the foreign students is a threat to national security. Certain individuals are also concerned about the fact that foreign students take financial aid and scholarship opportunities away from American students.
After graduation, many foreign students stay to pursue graduate work or enter the American workforce. Some immigrate or become permanent residents, which leads to one of the principle arguments against foreign students – that they take permanent jobs away from Americans. As the economy has taken a turn for the worst, this argument has begun to hold more power for American students entering the job market.
Attempts to Reconcile Opposing Viewpoints
To reconcile these opposing viewpoints, the suggestion has been made to still allow foreign students to pursue post-secondary studies in the U.S., but to impose a limit on how many are allowed in each year (similar to the limits put on U.S. immigration). Another suggestion is formulate a special student visa so that requires students to return home after graduation, or by which they are required to return abroad for at least two years before returning to the United States as legal immigrants.
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