Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

November 19, 2019

WPI, Clark, UMass Medical have fewer international students

Photo/Grant Welker UMass Medical School
By Grant Welker

The number of foreign students enrolled at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University and UMass Medical School fell slightly last year, as the number of such students nationally flattened, according to a new report.

WPI, which has more than 1,800 foreign students, saw a drop of 2.4% from the 2017-'18 school year to the 2018-'19 year, according to the New York-based Institute of International Education's Open Doors report. Clark, with more than 900 international students, fell by 1.5%, and UMass Medical School saw a 6.5% drop to 158 foreign students.

Another Worcester school typically with a larger international-student population, the College of the Holy Cross, didn't participate in the report, the Institute of International Education said.

Massachusetts continues to be a major draw for international students, particularly at Northeastern University and Boston University, two Boston schools each landing in the top 10 nationally for their foreign enrollment. Massachusetts is fourth nationally, with a 4.3% increase in the most recent year, and a 28% increase in the past five years.

In the 2018-'19 school year, Massachusetts colleges had more than 71,000 international students, behind only California, New York and Texas. Six of the top 10 states saw drops last year, including California and Texas.

Nationally, the number of foreign students leveled off last year, coming amid both a travel ban from some countries and a tougher rhetoric from the President Donald Trump Administration against immigrants and foreigners. Nearly 1.1 million foreign students were enrolled in U.S. colleges, an increase of 0.05% from last school year.

Among undergraduate and graduate students, however, enrollment dropped 1.9%, marking the second straight year in which numbers of students fell. Enrollment continued rising among other foreign students, which included those in non-degree programs and what's called optional practical training, those who are working toward or have completed their degree and are allowed to work in training related to their field of study.

Sign up for Enews

WBJ Web Partners

Most Recent

Most Recent

1 Comments

Anonymous
November 20, 2019
Sadly, Trump's contentious issue is affecting enrollments and is yet one more thing that makes being an international student away from home difficult, compounded by our complex culture and language problems. Welcoming and assimilation assistance must come from numerous sources, including the White House, to aid these young people embarking on life’s journey. Most struggle in their efforts and need guidance from schools’ international departments, immigration protection, host families, concerned neighbors and fellow students, and even informative books to extend a cultural helping hand. Something that might help anyone coming to the US is the award-winning worldwide book/ebook "What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More.” Used in foreign Fulbright student programs and endorsed worldwide by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it identifies how “foreigners” have become successful in the US, including students. It explains how to cope with a confusing new culture and friendship process, and daunting classroom differences. It explains how US businesses operate and how to get a job (which differs from most countries), a must for those who want to work with/for an American firm here or overseas. It also identifies the most common English grammar and speech problems foreigners have and tips for easily overcoming them, the number one stumbling block they say they have to succeeding here. Good luck to all wherever you study or wherever you come from, because that is the TRUE spirit of the American PEOPLE, not a few in government who shout the loudest! Supporters of int’l students must shout louder.
Order a PDF