I woke up earlier than usual that spring morning feeling both excited and anxious. I was invited to be part of a panel of international students who would share with graduate and senior baccalaureate students the operations of the press systems in our respective countries.
The talk, which featured classmates from Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Canada, was a highlight in the journalism program of my university, where I was studying for a masteral degree in a major U. S. Midwest university.
Each panelist gave a 15 to 20-minute presentation, which was followed by a spirited discussion that gave better light and dispelled notions about how media establishments operate across continents. I clearly remember how a well-traveled American classmate approached me after the forum. “I appreciate the insights you presented that gave me a better and wider perspective on how international journalism works,” she said.
What she said made me realize that I was in an American university not only to learn but also to share what I know for others to learn, too.
Thanks to that forum – at Gregory Hall, the home of journalism and other media students of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – perceptions were reshaped, apparently contributing to a deeper grasp and better international understanding.
That experience steered a turnaround in my studies that inspired me to always share in class my insights, thereby enriching our academic discussions on the Fourth Estate with a dose of ‘Third World’ flavor.
Overall, a number of similar insights must have come later from 70 eventual current world leaders in 58 countries, as records show, who had been educated in the United States.
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The enrichment of academic experiences in U.S. universities through the sharing of diverse viewpoints anchored on various cultural backgrounds has been among the strengths of higher education in the United States.
That strength has been under threat, however, since March this year when the U. S. state Department started revoking visas for present and former international students. The reason: their apparent involvement in free-speech activities that swelled on campuses from coast to coast brought about by Pro-Palestine and Anti-Israel convictions, which are slammed by the current administration.
Already, almost 5,000 international students had their Visitor Information System records terminated, with some finding out their visas revoked without due process.
Based on records two years ago, the United States hosted about 1.1 million international students. Their presence generated $4.4 billion for the American economy.
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Obviously, top-ranked Harvard University is the worst affected by the government move following last week’s decision by the Trump administration for the cessation of international students’ enrolment not unless certain demands are met.
A double whammy, indeed, it is for Harvard, which is challenging the moves in court, as earlier, the government also froze more than $2 billion in research grants.
More than one-fourth, or 6,793 foreign individuals, are currently enrolled at Harvard.
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As a former international student in the United States, I have been following up these developments, which are apparently taking its toll not only on the academic and research aspects of the students’ life but also on their mental health, economic capabilities and even social ties, among others.
An online article published this week by FWD, a Washington, D. C.-based organization focused on immigration and criminal justice reform advocacy, detailed the implications of the new policy for international students. Among these is the loss of reputation of the United States as a top destination for international education.
Reports indicate that some countries are bracing up for the possible increase in their higher education enrolment to the ongoing disruption affecting foreign students in the United States.
Hong Kong, for example, is reportedly ready for the transfer of Harvard and other university students from nearby Mainland China. Records show more than 275,000 Chinese students are enrolled in American colleges and universities.
Another report indicated that students from India (which has the most number of foreign students enrolled in America. Universities at more than 330,000) are now looking to other countries – outside of U.S. and U. K. – like Germany, Russia, New Zealand and France – as alternatives for their higher education destination.
Among the anticipated effects cited by WFD are decline in student population which may lead to closure of small colleges, job loss and hurting impact on the American work force (with almost 380,000 personnel affected).
At the same time, the organization pointed out that foreign students who stay and later work in the United States, among others, are acknowledged to have created jobs, start new businesses and help hike the wages of American workers.
They are also critical in the development of the STEM workforce in the United States and industries of the future and engage in multi-billion- dollar start-up firms.
In addition, WFD reported, the hosting of international students is a vital part of UMS foreign policy that leads to the nurturance of global collaboration and networking.
These developments are a cause of concern across the country. The world continues to watch the unfolding of this critical phase in American higher education.
How I wish exchanges of ideas, like those that transpired at Gregory Hall decades ago, will continue to reverberate for the nurturance of higher education and, more so, for global citizenship and cooperation.
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When a foreigner resides among you in your land do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native born. Love them as yourself… (Leviticus 19:33-34) | NWI
