The Institute of International Education released a report this week disclosing only a 0.6 foreign enrollment increase in the 2002-2003 academic year.  In the previous academic years, foreign enrollment had spiked 6.4 percent each year.

The percentage drop, the lowest growth rate in seven years is probably due in large part to foreign students not wanting to deal with   new stringent visa restrictions in the United States.  The issuance of student visas is one of the areas of immigration law that has toughened dramatically following September 11.

The declining rate is causing concern for U.S. schools.  According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), foreign students bring in an estimated $12 billion annually with tuition and other expenses. With a decrease in the amount of foreign students entering U.S. schools, academics may also face a decline in the amount of academic research being conducted at individual universities and colleges.  The larger student population from other countries is also seen as promoting a diverse atmosphere on the campus, while also strengthening educational relations between the U.S. and other countries.

In addition to the study published, IIE conducted another online survey.  According to the survey results, 46 percent of U.S. colleges reported declines in foreign enrollment in the current school year. 

While the numbers in America are dropping, the enrollment figures for other countries around the world are on a sharp incline.  The United Kingdom’s Universities and College Administration Services reports a 36 percent rise in the enrollment of Chinese students and a 16 percent increase in students from India.  Australia has also had similar increases. The clear inference from this data is that foreign students are still looking to study abroad, but not in the US.

The Association of International Educators (AIE) will reveal a study detailing their findings on the topic this week.  According to the associate executive director for the AIE, their report will detail similar findings.  He predicted a further decline in foreign enrollment if the United States does not relax visa restrictions.

The study can be found online at http://opendoors.ilenetwork.org/.