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Western, Northwest see influx of international students [St. Joseph News-Press (MO)](St. Joseph News-Press (MO) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The number of international students attending school in the United States continues to grow - including in Northwest Missouri. In fact, the U.S. enrolled the highest number of foreign students in its history with 819,644 undergraduate and graduate students during the 2012-2013 school year, according to a report by the Institute of International Education. Dr. Jeffrey Foot said it was identified several years ago that international student recruitment was going to be a feature of a much larger plan at Northwest Missouri State University, to recruit to a larger base. "So some commitments were made in staffing and budgets to increase activity around that area," said the director of the university's International Affairs Office. Currently there are 732 students, including ESOL, from 31 countries at Northwest. Missouri Western State University has 127 international students from 34 countries. Both schools have more than tripled their numbers in recent years. "The increases (at Northwest) were a result of that planning. This is by design, not by accident." "We only had 12 students five years ago," said Amy Kotwani, International Student Services director. She said Western's recruitment efforts have included staff visiting specific countries, including a music instructor to South Korea and an admissions' person to seven to eight countries in Asia. Students from Saudi Arabia make up the largest percentage of international students at Western with 25. Following that are 17 students from China, five from South Korea, four from India and one or two students from a variety of other countries. At Northwest, Dr. Foot said the largest number of international students are from India, Nepal, Korea, China and Brazil. Talk finances Northwest does offer the Bearcat Advantage scholarship to some international students, which means in-state rates. "It's one of the most comprehensive and generous that I've been able to find," Dr. Foot said. "Other universities can view international students as revenue streams." Relatively few international students rely on scholarships provided by American colleges and universities. For most, their government foots the bill. The Saudi Arabian government, for example, launched a scholarship program called Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) after King Abdullah took the throne in 2005. In 2004, there were about 1,000 Saudis studying in the U.S., according to the U.S. State Department. The events of Sept. 11 created tougher restrictions for many Arab students. But now, the number of students from the country have swollen so much they compete with India and China. "We consistently have 25 students (from Saudi Arabia)," Ms. Kotwani said. "Most (major) in IT management." The Brazil Scientific Mobility Program is another government- funded scholarship for students studying in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. They are typically in the states for one to two years, including an internship and then return home to complete their education. "To have a U.S. Education is valued around the world," Ms. Kotwani said. Other factors contribute to the increase in international students, too. "On a global scale, there is a growing middle class that's able to support their students and send them to us," Dr. Foot said. "In the past, in a lot of countries, it was an elite option." On the other hand, he said some countries simply can't handle the demand of university-age students into their own schools. Academic programs are what's driving international recruitment at both Northwest Missouri schools. In Maryville, Mo., it's the computer science program. "It has developed a very solid reputation with companies like Cerner in Kansas City," Dr. Foot said. Job placement is high, which has allowed the school to be highly selective on who gets in. In fact, the school recently placed a cap on the program. Beginning in spring 2015, the program will only accept 200 students. "Our yield rate is something we're going to learn but at the undergraduate level ... we are innovative," he said. Javier Paz learned he was coming to St. Joseph just one week before classes started at Western. The Honduras native said it was his dream to be in the United States. It became a reality when Dr. Jimmy Albright helped create a scholarship program after visiting the country, and Mr. Paz, on a missions trip. As a child, he looked to architecture and then to ophthalmology but eventually Mr. Paz settled on biology engineering. "I was so happy I was crying," he said of his acceptance. "My first fear was English." He quickly discovered his English was good enough and assimilated easily into the community. Now, three years into his studies, Mr. Paz is on his way to earning a degree in manufacturing engineering and technology with an emphasis in biology. It's a career he will take home with him. The 20-year-old plans to return to Honduras to work. "By the time my (younger) brother graduates, I'll be the one to put him through school," he said. "I'll get my job, help my family, then pursue dance." Mr. Paz would love nothing more than to return to Western someday to earn a degree in dance. He has been apart of a traveling troop of dancers in the past and hopes to continue that passion. The benefits "The perception is that we're in the early stages," Ms. Kotwani said. "Our goal was to have 100 students. We did that. And there's still growth opportunities." Ms. Kotwani and Dr. Foot agree their schools' programs benefit both international and domestic students. "For our American students, we are not going to set them up for success if they only experience white, middle income and the rural U.S.," said Dr. Foot, a native Canadian. "It's not giving them the multicultural work force they will experience." Both schools have incorporated activities and programs into campus life. Northwest even recently added a cricket pitch, believed to be the first in the region. The Indian Student Association held a cricket tournament Sept. 26. Dr. Foot and Ms. Kotwani said success is attributed to the established relationships around the world. "We like to say that we're like family in many different ways," Dr. Foot said. "And welcome all students from all parts of the Earth." (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |