US: Capital inflow through internationalization
The U.S. is enjoying great popularity among internationalstudents. During the 2010/2011 academic year foreign studentenrolment has increased by 5% to a total of 723.277. Within thelast decade this number has grown by 32%. The American Institute ofInternational Education (IIE) published these numbers together withthe U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and CulturalAffairs in its recent
Leading country of origin remains China (158.000) representing22% of the international student population in America. Indiacomes in second (104.000) and South Korea third (73.000). Mostpopular destination within the States is California with 96.535overseas students.
$21 billion from HE-related services
These international students also bring significant amounts ofcash into their host country as numbers show. 70% of their primaryfunding comes from sources outside the United States. The U.S.Department of Commerce estimates that this adds $21 billion (€15,32billion) to the economy through tuition fee and livingexpenditures.
“Higher education is among the United States’ top service sectorexports, as international students provide significant revenue notjust to the host campuses but also to local economies of the hoststates for living expenses, including room and board, books andsupplies, transportation, health insurance, and support foraccompanying family members,” IIE points out in a publicstatement.
“Because of the excellence and diversity of our colleges anduniversities, more students worldwide are choosing to study in theUnited States. Young people who study abroad gain the global skillsnecessary to create solutions to 21st Century challenges. In turn,international students globalize our campuses and communities,”commented Ann Stock, Assistant Secretary of State.
