Nearly 40 percent of the US Universities are witnessing the decline in the applications from the international students and recruitment professionals have reported about the families being worried about the visas and less-welcoming climate of the country.
In the survey, more than 250 colleges participated. The survey was done as a response to concern among the international educators “that the political discourse surrounding foreign nationals in the US leading up to the November 2016 US presidential election could be damaging to international student recruitment efforts”.
Of all the institutions participated in the survey, 39 percent responded the decline in the applications, another 35 percent responded the increase and rest 26 percent responded no change in the number of applications.
While the decrease is not witnessed by the majority of the colleges still continuous increase in the international enrollments has become a standard norm among the colleges and universities of the US.
Many universities participating in the survey also reported a considerable decrease in the number of international applicants from India and China. The two countries together nearly constitute half of all the international students in the US.
Other than India and China, Middle-east, Asia, and Latin America are the areas from where the numbers of students have declined in significant numbers.
A press release mentioned the following concerns are most cited from the students of various regions:
- “Perception of a rise in student visa denials at US embassies and consulates in China, India, and Nepal.”
- “Perception that the climate in the US is now less welcoming to individuals from other countries.”
- “Concerns that benefits and restrictions around visas could change, especially around the ability to travel, re-entry after travel and employment opportunities.”
- “Concerns that the executive order travel ban might expand to include additional countries.”