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2018 Midterm2 (assignment) Index to Sample Student Midterm2 Answers Part 3. Research Report Starts |
LITR 4340
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Ruth Brown
International Students: Human Bridges across Countries
When
thinking of which subject to research for my project, I wanted to select a
general topic that I had enjoyed being introduced to in class and then narrow it
down to something specific that I could learn about even more. I also wanted
something that would be relevant to my future in the education field. The topic
of “model minorities” had really interested me because of the different
expectations placed on them, as well as education usually being a key part of
their identities. In thinking of different aspects of the “model minority,” I
realized I wanted to learn more about international students, students that come
from other countries to the US for education. They are immigrants in a way,
voluntarily traveling here to seek better opportunities, but most of them return
home in a relatively short time. How does that affect their narrative? What
experiences do they find upon their arrival in a new land? What is the current
state of international students? Are they more likely to assimilate or resist?
These are questions that I hope to find answers to over the course of this
research report.
I
began my research by learning more about the legalistic side of international
students and what type of documentation they must acquire. The visa type most
associated with international students is an F-1 visa for full-time students.
Zong and Batalova explain that “while most international students and exchange
visitors return home, students on F-1 visas are permitted to adjust their status
to another visa category, such as temporary foreign worker…or legal permanent
resident.” There is also an option for students with an F-1 visa to gain 12
months of training in their field.
While
learning about specific visas, I found an article entitled “Sharp Drop in
International Student Visas Worries Some US Colleges” about recent drops
in student visas. The United States is the leading host country of international
students, but there was a 17% drop in issued F-1 to international students in
2017. Parija Kavilanz writes
“The biggest
decline in visa approvals in 2017 was
seen among students from Asian countries, particularly those from China and
India which typically account for the largest number of F-1 visas.”
The
article gives a few speculated reasons as to why the drops could have occurred.
Students could be weighing the financial cost against other countries, they
could be worried about emerging anti-immigrant attitudes from the US, or it
could be visa policy changes that mean students from China have a five year
visa, instead of a one year. The US now only accounts for 24% of international
students and it has been made increasingly more difficult for the students to
stay in the US and find employment after finishing their studies. Kavilanz also
writes how the State Department “said it now
emphasizes that the consulates ‘must refuse’ any applicants if they are ‘not
satisfied that the applicant's present intent is to depart the United States at
the conclusion of his or her study.’” This could affect future numbers of
international students and the length of time they stay in the United States, as
well as the type of experience they find.
After researching the more legalistic and statistical side of international
students, I wanted to learn more about why they chose to become an international
student and to understand the more personal side of the story. Many
international students choose to study in the US because of better educational
opportunities, enhanced networking for future employment, and the chance to
experience a new culture. Imane Karroumi wrote about her experience as a
Moroccan student studying in the United States. She writes,
“I
now believe that exchange students can help change some of the assumptions and
preconceived ideas in their societies because people are more likely to accept
the change from within their society rather than from the outside. That is why I
strongly believe that an exchange experience is one of the most powerful ways to
promote human beings and help end those centuries’ long conflicts that take our
focus away from the real problems.”
Some
of the events that took place during Karroumi’s stay included meeting the
Ambassador of Morocco, volunteering on Election Day, finding a mentor in a CEO
of a marketing company, and learning more about different religions as well as
sharing her own with others.
Karroumi explained that much of the learning during her year’s stay took place
outside of the classroom, rather than within. She states, “That year taught me
to be more tolerant and I think I helped people understand more about my
heritage.” Her experience shows that there was learning and sharing between
people. It was not just Karroumi learning about people in the US, but also
people in the US learning about Karroumi and her traditions. She describes how
grateful she was for the experience, but also how she wants others to hear more
stories from international students. At the conclusion of this article, she
explains what it was like after her experience, “when I came home I felt I had
seen America’s true face and heart. I knew more than what the news told me and I
helped others learn more about my culture.” International students act as a
bridge to bring language, culture, and ideas to and from different countries.
More than watching the news or reading words on a page, international students
constantly live out real experiences with real people and that helps them and
others evolve. The final line in Karroumi’s article, “this is how we can really
learn about others,” clearly displays how she believes international students’
stories and voices are important for changing perspectives.
My remaining research will continue to focus on the personal aspects of being an
international student. I want to continue to find answers to the questions of
what international students face upon arriving in a new country and read more of
their personal narratives. I will interview my friend and fellow student at
UHCL, Amanda D’souza, who is an international student from Dubai. I believe that
by exploring the unique identity of international students, I can grow and
become more of a global citizen and bring those traits to my future students and
classroom.
Works
Cited
Karroumi, Imane. “The Exchange Experience Changed My Life Forever.” The
Huffington Post, 25 May 2011,
www.huffingtonpost.com/imane-karroumi/the-exchange-experience-c_b_243895.html.
Kavilanz, Parija. “Sharp Drop in International Student Visas Worries Some US
Colleges.”CNNMoney, Cable News Network, 14 Mar. 2018,
money.cnn.com/2018/03/12/news/economy/international-student-visa-college/index.html.
Zong,
Jie, and Jeanne Batalova. “International Students in the United States.”Migrationpolicy.org,
12 May 2016,
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/international-students-united-states.
