US universities become less attractive to international students

Donald Trump has arguably changed the immigration system more than any United States president, thrilling supporters with a nationalist message and infuriating critics who call the approach to his signature issue insular, xenophobic and even racist. For colleges that fear dwindling tuition fees and companies that worry about losing talent, the broader impact is harder to quantify: America seemingly losing its lustre on a global stage, writes Sophia Tareen for the Associated Press.

“It’s not as attractive as it once was,” said Dodeye Ewa, who’s finishing high school in Calabar, Nigeria. Unlike two older siblings who left for US universities, the aspiring paediatrician is focused on Canada. In America, she fears bullying for being an international student and a black woman.

New international students in America have declined for three straight years: a 3% drop in the 2016 school year – the first in about a decade – followed by 7% and 1% dips, according to the Institute of International Education, which releases an annual November report. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s fall snapshot shows a 13.7% drop in undergraduate international students. The government cites high college costs, but students and school leaders tell another story.
Full report on the MSN site