Walking into to the University of Missouri-St. Louis, you can't help but notice that we have a very diverse community of students.
In fact, the University celebrates and encourages students from different countries to "Pick UMSL."
They send brochures and information to countless numbers of international students from all over the world in hopes that UMSL will be the university with which they choose to study abroad.
For many international students, studying in the states would be a dream, but with immigration laws getting stricter and tuition rates increasing yearly, studying abroad is becoming more and more difficult.
Academics aren't necessarily the biggest challenge international students face when they study in the States.
Getting a visa can be a hassle.
Many international students feel that the process to get appropriate documentation for study in the United States takes too long.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, that process has been made more complex for foreigners who want to be given student visas to study in the United States.
An I-20 form is a must if you want to study in the States, as well as your passport, previous passports, financial documents that verify your ability to pay for your education and some type of assurance that you will return to your country after finishing your studies here.
Life for international students in the United States is not at all easy.
As of Sept. 11, new immigration laws have forced foreign students to give their exact location.
We have to report our change of address to immigration, which makes us feel insecure.
Another challenge international students face in the United States is adapting themselves to their new environments.
For many, this includes learning a new language, adopting a new lifestyle and spending years away from home.
Most of the time, those who come to study in the United States live by themselves and have to survive with little or no support.
High tuition rates also play a big role in whether or not international students can study in the United States.
Sadly, many students cannot afford to fully pay nonresident tuition fees and textbook expenses in addition to living expenses.
In addition, most international visas do not allow us to work outside of the university without a worker's permit.
The average cost to attend UMSL for example, including tuition, books and food, is more then $13,000 dollars per semester for international students. That is not including room and board, travels, or daily expenses.
But after all is said and done, most international students would still choose to study in the States.
Why?
Everybody has different reasons for wanting to study abroad, but the one thing can be aconnecting all international students who study here is that most of us feel that by studying in the States, we will have more opportunities and more freedom to choose the course of our education and the careers we want to go into.
For most of us, studying in America is an investment.
We have determined that the necessary skills and experience we gain by studying here will help us get better-paying jobs when we go back to our countries.
When it is all said and done, studying in the States is well worth the cost and stress it places on international students.
Be the first to comment on this article!