International Enrollments Decline

(from Inside Higher Ed) Many U.S. colleges and universities are reporting modest to sharp declines in international students this year, in some cases as high as 30 or even 50 percent for new students. Several variables play into the trend, which isn't limited to one country or even one region:

• Post-election perceptions of the U.S. as less welcoming and more xenophobic. 
• Challenges to the visa process under actions such as Trump's call for "extreme vetting" of visa applicants and the imposition of a travel ban involving six Muslim-majority nations.
• Increased competition from schools in Canada and other countries.
• A tightening of the Saudi government's huge scholarship program.

A range of schools and academic groups have taken steps to combat the challenges. For instance, more than 250 schools joined a national marketing and social media campaign called "You are Welcome Here" to send a positive message to international students.

See the full story at Inside Higher Ed.

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