International students enrich the United States not just culturally, but financially, boosting the U.S. economy billions of dollars a year, according to a study by the Institute of International Education.
Foreign students contributed nearly $14.5 billion to the United States economy during the 2006-'07 academic year, according to the IIE report titled "Open Doors." Contributions to the Wisconsin economy reached $164.6 million, the report found.
"Expenses for students to attend college accumulate very rapidly," said Shannon Bishop, program manager of the Institute of International Education. "Expenses are compounded when (students) go overseas."
Bishop said foreign students contribute to the U.S. economy through tuition, living expenses, books and health insurance.
"The U.S. has always been a leading destination for international students," Bishop said.
Last year, international students in the country increased by more than 3 percent after a decline following Sept. 11, she said.
According to Bishop, 582,984 foreign students studied at American colleges and universities last year.
California had the most international students and highest economic contribution, with 77,987 students and a boost of nearly $2.2 billion last year. Wisconsin ranked 22nd with 7,383 international students.
Ellen Blauw, associate director of Marquette's Office of International Education, said international students contribute to Wisconsin's economy by "participating in the diversity" of the cities, especially Milwaukee.
International students immerse themselves in Milwaukee's art, cuisine and sports scenes in the same way American students do, Blauw said. The Open Doors survey helps highlight the magnitude of the economic impact, she said.
Tuition and fees for international students studying in Wisconsin last year totaled $137.3 million. Living expenses for the same group of students amounted to $107.6 million. United States support, mainly campus-based funding, was $80.4 million. The total economic contribution was found by subtracting the U.S. support from the sum tuition and fees and living expenses, according to the report.
Because Marquette is a private institution, foreign students pay the same tuition as American students, Blauw said. Although they cannot receive government aid, she said they are eligible for Marquette scholarships.
Blauw said international students find Marquette attractive because the university provides opportunities to take a wide range of liberal arts courses and land internships and co-ops.
"Many students want a U.S. education for the quality of education and opportunities to learn in an international environment and build towards an experience that may be different than in their home country," Blauw said.
Blake Ward, International Communications Coordinator at Marquette, said India is a top country in the pool of international students, bringing 16 undergraduate students and 106 graduate students to Marquette for the fall of 2007.
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia tied for second place among Marquette undergraduates, each bringing 11 undergrads to Marquette this semester, he said.
The People's Republic of China brought 71 graduate students Marquette, he said.
Most undergraduate students from top countries such as India and the People's Republic of China are degree-seeking students that remain in the United States for four full years, Ward said. Other international students are exchange students who stay for just one year or one semester, he said. Either way, Ward said foreign students contribute significantly to the economy.
But foreign students provide the United States with more than just economic benefits. Ward and Blauw said they agreed American students can learn from the unique perspective international students bring to campus.
"Seeing the world through someone else's eyes is a valuable goal for Marquette as a University," Blauw said.