Borders or Barriers?

››› Hellerud: The American Competitiveness Through International Openness Now Act has several provisions addressing the issues. It proposes changes in how visas are evaluated, how the visa application process functions, and how international students are tracked. More importantly, it proposes development of a marketing strategy to encourage foreign students to study in the United States. The idea is to combat the perception that the United States is unwelcoming to international students and to be able to compete with countries that have organized marketing campaigns to attract international students—such as Australia, England, and Germany.

I’ve heard a lot from our students about the marketing campaigns of other countries; because most of our international students are in management, they are very tuned in to marketing strategies. They are impressed with Australia’s strategies for promoting its schools’ graduate programs, which they say differ from country to country. In Africa, for example, I’m told that there are large, attractive billboards near the main universities which invite students to study in Australia. In Latin America, students tell me Australian representatives speak at student-union meetings and other gatherings.

››› Hanson: As recently as January 17, Secretary Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Mike Chertoff held a special briefing regarding easing of some restrictions at both the embassies and ports of entry. However, we will not be able to assess whether this is actually working until at least fall semester, and perhaps even the following spring semester to see if more students, especially at the graduate level, are allowed into the country.