This article is from the EMU News Archive. Current EMU new is available at www.emu.edu/news

Declining Numbers Fewer Foreign Students in Area

by Jeff Mellott, Daily News-Record

Securing a student visa to study in the United States already was getting harder by the time foreign terrorists flew jet airliners into the World Trade Center in September 2001.

The now-even-tougher visa stance by the U.S. government is contributing to a decline in foreign students studying in this country.

Anne Nyambura, 35, of Kenya and Andile Dube, 21, of Zimbabwe have both noticed the trend.

They both reported little trouble in getting visas to study at Eastern Mennonite University, but the pair knew of others who were not as fortunate. "For most, it is not easy at all to get all the paperwork that you need to get into this country," Dube said.

Some of Nyambura’s relatives were unable to secure visas. Her problem was different. Her concern was raising the necessary money to pay for college.

"This is a drawback for many, and the visa situation is the next big drawback. Some people have money, but they are denied visas to come," Nyambura, a graduate student, said.

Dipping Enrollment

Since September 2001, James Madison University Admissions Director Michael Walsh has seen a steady decline in admission applications and enrollments of international undergraduate students on the university’s campus.

The decline at JMU is part of a national trend that also is affecting Eastern Mennonite University but is not evident at Bridgewater College.

Walsh said the events three years ago are just one of the factors in the declining enrollment of foreign students at JMU, which affects the diversity of the campus and boosts the campus experience of all those attending the university. "We feel," Walsh said of JMU, "there is something that we can reverse."

Steady Decline

In September 2001, JMU hosted 189 foreign students, those on a visa studying in the United States. By September 2004, the number dropped to 120 as the campus’ overall enrollment ticked up slightly to about 16,000.

As with any other student, the increasing cost of a college education plays a role. JMU’s out-of-state tuition has jumped in recent years, he said.

Also, he knows from experience that foreign students consider climate.

Foreign students also have more options than before. Other countries, such as Canada and Australia, are increasing efforts to compete with the United States for international students, including American, he said.

"It is easier to get into those countries," Dube, a junior, said.

Some foreign students feel less comfortable in the United States, he said. Walsh noted a sharp decline in students from Pakistan and that part of the world at JMU.

Down And Up

The drop in international students has also affected Eastern Mennonite University with its global connections through its church affiliation.

According to EMU, 45 foreign students enrolled in September 2001. The number has jumped around since. It dropped to 37 in 2002 but spiked at 46 the following year. In 2004, the campus had 40, a net decline of just five students from 2001.

EMU’s director of international student services Jon Kratz said many of the foreign students get to campus thorough the Mennonite Church.

"What has changed is we have pulled more international students who are already present in high schools," Kratz said.

Nyambura, who is enrolled in EMU’s Conflict Transformation Program, was working for an international refugee service organization when she decided to continue her education in peace studies. Her experience in refugee camps directed her choice of study.

The lack of a sufficient program in Kenya and South Africa forced her to look elsewhere for study. Between the World Wide Web and contacts she made, EMU became her choice.

Despite her lack of difficulty getting a visa, her residence in Kenya, the site of terrorist bombings, including the U.S. Embassy in 1998, was not helpful.

That has complicated issues for Kenyans, particularly Muslims, she said.

On The Rise

Bridgewater College also is church-affiliated — with the Church of the Brethren.

The number of foreign students on campus has never been large. The number of international students has actually risen from 12 in 2001 to 15 in 2004.

It is a small group, BC Director of Student Outreach John Manson said. But he says it’s a diverse group, citing countries from Europe, South America, Asia and India.

The foreign students he talks to tell him that they find out about Bridgewater through the Internet. They are attracted to the small campus, where they can develop relationships and become involved with activities. They also like that Bridgewater is also only a couple of hours from D.C., Manson said. "Although it is a small group, it tends to be diverse. That brings a good international flavor to campus even though we don’t have a large number of international students."

Educational Experience

When Dube was looking for a place to study, he was reluctant to look outside his country. "It was so far away from home. I wouldn’t have any one here at all," he said.

But with the arrival of the visa, he felt that fate was taking a hand and decided to go with that. Dube, who is studying business administration and computer information systems, came to EMU because of its values.

Part of an international family, with sisters studying in Canada and a brother a student in the United Kingdom, Dube wanted a similar experience as his siblings.

The impact of the decline of foreign students on the educational experience is a concern among the colleges and universities.

The presence of the students allows American students to get perspectives on issues that they might not otherwise get, Manson said.

Foreign students also get a chance to learn about the United States that is different from living in their own country. "It gives a different perspective, a different world view, and it exposes you to other people and that is what I wanted to get," Nyambura said.

The absence from their countries is temporary. Dube plans to go on to graduate school.

Nyambura plans to return to work for the Jesuit Refugee Service in Kenya.

"That’s where my dream started," she said, "and I will be happy to go back there."

— article by: Jeff Mellott; posted January 20, 2005