Borders or Barriers?

››› Nichole Pazdernik Hanson: St. Cloud State University (SCSU) has not seen a decline in graduate international applications. In fact, there has been a steady increase in the number of applications. However, fall of 2004 was a particularly difficult year for students to get to SCSU. While there was a 15 percent increase in applications for the fall of 2004 from the previous fall, there was a 45 percent decrease in the number of students who were able to enroll.

In the last 12 months, the applications have again increased. The number of enrolled students is back up to around the number of international students enrolled for the fall of 2003. While there are many factors to consider, the visa problems were a significant factor for that semester. The anecdotal information about getting visas in fall 2004 was that it was difficult from almost every Asian (with the exception of Japan) and African country. While I think the situation had improved by last fall, I still have many reports of problems and flat-out denials for visas.

››› TCB: What are the specific barriers to foreign students applying to study in the U.S.?

››› Keeling: There is increased scrutiny of visa applications from certain countries, and there are certain countries where people who apply for any type of visa are now subject to extensive background checks, which can prolong the visa application process.

In my opinion, the biggest barrier for international students applying to study in the United States is funding. U.S. graduate programs are expensive, and many do not provide funding for international students (although many do). Students must show ties to their home country to prove that they will return home upon completion of their studies in order to obtain a student visa. One of the ways that they can show these ties to their home country is to leave savings or property at home when they come to the United States. However, because of the cost of U.S. graduate programs, many students must liquidate all of their assets to pay for their educational programs, thus leaving no assets at home.

Also, if they are from countries where few students return after completing their U.S. educational programs, it can be more difficult for them to prove their intention to return home.

››› Hellerud: Students have said they faced delays in the visa process; for example, some students from African countries said they had a long wait to get an appointment. Sometimes the delays mean they have to defer their start date, but they do get permission.

From our students, I’ve heard less about targeted countries and heightened reviews and security checks and more about the general perception that the United States is not welcoming to international students. In other words, students who come here have heard about other students who couldn’t get permission to come here, or went home to visit and couldn’t get back, or were treated badly at entry. Students still want to come here for graduate degrees, but there is a perception that we aren’t as ‘open’ or welcoming as we used to be.

››› Hanson: I believe that one of the biggest barriers for students to come to the United States include some misconceptions, especially by parents and other family members, about the safety of being in the United States and increased (perceived or real) security. I do believe that there has been increased scrutiny at the embassies and ports of entry, but many students are being persuaded by their families to go to other countries to avoid the issues with U.S. scrutiny, no matter what the reality. The perception is actually worse than what is really happening because it only takes one story . . . to deter another 10 or more students from coming.

It seems that students from the Middle East and South Asian countries, along with many African countries, have particular difficulties. Many try two and even three times or more to obtain visas with no luck, and get only a vague idea of why they were denied.