Yes, it’s that time of year again for those who work in the field of international educational exchange, especially as it relates to the U.S. The annual international academic mobility report known as Open Doors is out with detailed information about international students and scholars in the U.S. and U.S. students abroad based on surveys conducted the previous fall (2009) semester. The report encompasses regionally accredited colleges and universities. The SEVIS By the Numbers quarterly updates, which include international students enrolled at all levels of the U.S. educational system and in all types of institutions, are (obviously!) more up-to-date. While Open Doors statistics are useful, they are last year’s news.
What’s striking is that half of the ”top ten” experienced negative growth. Vietnam, however, retained its 9th place position and had the second highest growth rate, albeit a modest one. Most Vietnamese continue to be enrolled in undergraduate programs with a slight percentage decrease over 2009/09:
- 67.6% undergraduate
- 18.7% graduate students
- 9.7% other
- 3.9% OPT (Optional Practical Training)
Source: 2010 Vietnam Fact Sheet
| Rank | Place of Origin | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2009/10 % of Total | %Change |
| WORLD TOTAL | 671,616 | 690,923 | 100.0 | 2.9 | |
| 1 | China | 98,235 | 127,628 | 18.5% | 29.9 |
| 2 | India | 103,260 | 104,897 | 15.2% | 1.6 |
| 3 | South Korea | 75,065 | 72,153 | 10.4% | -3.9 |
| 4 | Canada | 29,697 | 28,145 | 4.1% | -5.2 |
| 5 | Taiwan | 28,065 | 26,685 | 3.9% | -4.9 |
| 6 | Japan | 29,264 | 24,842 | 3.6% | -15.1 |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | 12,661 | 15,810 | 2.3% | 24.9 |
| 8 | Mexico | 14,850 | 13,450 | 1.9% | -9.4 |
| 9 | Vietnam | 12,823 | 13,112 | 1.9% | 2.3 |
| 10 | Turkey | 12,148 | 12,397 | 1.8% | 2.0 |
Two-thirds of all international students in the U.S. are in the following fields of study:
- Business and Management (21.1%)
- Engineering (18.4%)
- Physical and Life Sciences (8.9%)
- Math and Computer Sciences (8.8%)
- Social Sciences (8.7%)
According to a recent International Education Week statement by Assistant Secretary Janice Jacobs, Bureau of Consular Affairs, the U.S. issued over 450,000 student visas in the last fiscal year, which accounts for 82% of the student visa applicants worldwide. That’s an increase of 13% from the previous year. Since Open Doors data is a year old and the USG fiscal year ends on 30 September, we’ll likely see a sharper increase in next year’s statistics. The 82% rate certainly does not apply to Vietnam.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_5190.html
MAA