Chinese Students Flock to US Colleges
Chinese Students Flock to US Colleges
By Vanessa Denice
Posted February 12, 2014 10:00 AM
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Almost one-third of international students hail from China.Students from a diverse array of backgrounds can be found at almost any college campus on the U.S. Whether they are earning a master's degree in STEM programs or enjoying the undergraduate lifestyle, these students hail from far and wide, bringing a new perspective to the college experience.
Chinese Students Dominate International Population
According to a recent report from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, approximately 287,260 Chinese individuals currently hold active student visas in the U.S. That means they account for about 29% of all international students, and the total number is more than the international student population of Europe, South America, Africa, Australia and the rest of North America combined.
India has the second-biggest student population in the U.S., with about 105,000 people learning on American soil, according to the report.
South Korea is third with 91,693.
Those numbers appear to be in line with population figures, but they have changed dramatically in the past two decades, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports. In 1997, only 4% of the international student population came from China.
International Students Benefit Campuses
Although students flock to the U.S. from across the world in search of higher education, they are drawn to certain geographical regions. For example, 16% of the Asian students in the country attend college in California, while 17% of international learners from South America enroll in Florida institutions, the report states. Those states, along with New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Illinois and Pennsylvania, host more than half of all international students, which brings many advantages to the colleges they choose.
"International education promotes the relationship building and knowledge exchange between people and communities in the United States and around the world that are necessary to solve global challenges," Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan M. Ryan said in a press release. "The connections made during international education experiences last a lifetime. International students enrich classrooms, campuses and communities in ways that endure long after students return to their home countries."
No matter where international students enroll, they can bring a unique perspective to the school. However, some campuses will have more exposure than others. According to the report, the University of Southern California and Purdue University have the highest number of foreign learners, with these students making up about 26% and 24% of the total student population, respectively.
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