International Students Leaving the US in Greater Numbers: Most Think Best Jobs Are at Home
By Scholarship for USA on Mar 30, 2009 with Comments 2
Do you take it for granted that international students will stay back in the United States to work after completion of their studies? There is a popular belief that the US has the best jobs and therefore must be the number one choice as to where international students want to live and work after graduation. Well think again. According to a research called “Losing the World’s Best and Brightest” funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, most international students would like to return to their home countries after graduation.
The research was conducted in October, 2008 based on a survey of 1,224 foreign students enrolled in US institutions of higher education. The main intention of the study was find the factors that influenced an international students’ decision to stay in the US or move abroad. Traditionally, many international students have stayed back in the US and contributed to the economic and technological advancement of the US. However, this study shows that there is a new trend emerging that is seeing more and more international students returning to their home countries after the completion of their education. Some of the more interesting findings of the research are listed below:
- Students want to return home
Very few international students want to stay in the US and make it their home. Only 6% of Indian, 10% of Chinese, and 5% of European students would like to stay here permanently. Many would like to work for a few years if given the opportunity, before returning to their home countries. Most students would like to return home within five years.
- Most are worried about visas
The majority of students that would like to stay and work for a few years before returning home are worried about obtaining work visas. This concern is not unfounded because the number of applications for H-1B visas in recent years has exceeded the quota for number of visas allowed. Also, new regulations have made it difficult for TARP companies to hire international students. The survey found that this concern over work visas is greater than the concern of obtaining permanent residence.
- Jobs and opportunities
Majority of respondents to the survey think that the best job opportunities lie in their home countries, as opposed to the popular belief that the best jobs are in the US. Chinese and Indian students feel the the best days of their respective countries’ economies lie ahead. It is not surprising that international students are disillusioned with the US job market because of the economic downturn and subsequent job cuts in US companies.
- Why are students leaving?
The primary reason for students leaving the US is to be with their family and loved ones. Another reason is that students perceive the economic conditions in the home countries as better than those in the US.
Why do you think international students are leaving the US in greater numbers? Do you think it will be good for the US to lose these bright young minds to other economies of the world? Share your thoughts below.
Related Article: International MBA Students Bite the Dust: TARP Regulation to Blame
Filed Under: Miscellaneous
While the economic difficulties are to blame for many students’ return to their home country, companies are also not quite as willing to invest in foreign nationals as they once were in previous years.
I am an International candidate, who was employed in the Tampa Bay region. I enjoyed my job, and made a profound impact on the staff at the facility. However, I was overqualified for my job, and the legal advisor for that company indicated that I could not receive an H1B visa for that one factor. There is no justification in hiring us, as foreigners while Americans are sitting at home without employment. While I am and will be eternally grateful for the support I received while working in the United States, I also felt cheated of the opportunity to practice in my field without restrictions. The U.S. is indeed losing bright, international students. My main concern while residing in Florida was to secure an H1B visa so that I could work for an additional three years, to gain the much needed experience. I am now in my country, with two degrees and no job, because I am overqualified, with specialized degrees.
Not sure of the survey, Some TDH did this survey and it all says “Want to” , “like to” which means nothing in reality. Even in Home country, the work is again mostly given by US and most of students come with intent of making more money and escape from the dirty politics/work culture. Take India for example…So many are working…has any one product come out successfully in International market…NO !! we all live a life to serve…not achieve anything…we study because we want US to hire us…love us….
Don’t know when this ends… But some big twist is needed to make things turn the right way…!!
USCIS is just protecting & doing it’s job more rigorously …which it should have done long back…