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The year 2008 saw a rapid rise in the number of International students enrolled in American Universities according to the latest data released by the Institute of International Education. This is a whopping 8% increase from the previous year’s statistics. There was an increase of 16% in enrolments of first time students. Surprisingly, the number of enrolments from China was the most, especially in the undergraduate studies.

These figures certainly do not point towards the effect of economic meltdown which could actually affect financial assistance usually paid by the Universities in US as well as the ability of students to pay for education in Universities here. According to expert advisors from across the country, there is an urgent requirement to develop a strategy on a national level regarding recruitment of International students. International educators point out that American Universities continues to attract maximum number of International students in spite of rigorous efforts by other countries including Canada and Australia.

Unable to meet the demand domestically for higher education countries such as India and China send their children overseas. According to the Institute of International Education’s Vice President Peggy Blumenthal, enough talent is available overseas to be accommodated here. She also noted that an estimated $17.6 billion is contributed by international students to the US economy.

Reports from the council and data from Open Doors suggest that there is a significant shift in the makeup of international student body in America. Trends indicate that International students opting for undergraduate degrees including bachelor’s or associate degrees will soon surpass the number of them pursuing graduate studies. This will be similar to the years before 2001-02 when undergraduates at the US Universities far surpassed the graduate counterparts according to Open Doors data. Student supply was predominantly from China and India.

This time around, there is a steep decline in student enrolments from India due to recession that has limited the job market to a great extent. America was viewed as the land of opportunities. Today, with many companies retracing steps, students from India and China are treading cautiously which accounts for the decline in enrolments. Many degree programs and institutions are hit very hard by this fall off in Indian students.

Observers watch with optimism whether the situation will improve and enrolments will enhance with the easing of global financial crisis even as students prefer opting for countries such as Singapore and Britain that offer enough opportunities to stay and work after graduation.  Another stumbling block preventing American Indian student enrolments may be the vow taken by the education minister in India to expand research capacity and higher education opportunities at home.

The swelling enrolment of Chinese students this year must be a refreshing breather for US. This growth appears to be sustained for a while. One of the main reasons for this is the declining dollar rate which has made American education accessible to most middle class families in China.