What most Americans don’t realize, because it doesn’t seem logical, is that a U.S. university education is an export – much like soybeans, cotton, Boeing airplanes, iPhones or Hollywood movies.
The latter provides the best comparison, because like Hollywood blockbusters which earn much of their revenue overseas, an American university education is considered the world’s gold standard, which the best and brightest students around the world seek to “buy.”
And the economic benefits to the U.S. in selling this “product” have been immense.
For just the 2023-24 school year, the approximately 1.1 million international students studying here contributed $44 billion to our economy and directly supported about 380,000 U.S. jobs. For Texas, this meant that 90,000 international students, attending 250 colleges and universities, contributed over $2.5 Billion to the State’s economy. (This compares to about $1.7 billion that Texas earned from cotton exports.)
Texas Tech has approximately 3,300 international students from 121 countries. That represents about 8% of all students – which is above the national average of 6%.
For Lubbock, like other university towns, international students contribute significantly to supporting local restaurants, shopping, real estate, movie theaters, car dealers, etc.
They also help the University’s budget by paying considerably more in tuition than domestic students, especially Texas residents. Not only do they not crowd out domestic students from classes, their presence actually allows certain classes to have enough students to exist – especially those in highly valuable science and technology fields. In addition, they make valuable contributions to universities’ overall research, publications, and patents.
Having served as a long-time U.S. diplomat overseas and then as Texas Tech’s Vice Provost for International Affairs for 15 years, I’m very familiar with all facets of international student programs. During my overseas tours I encountered two groups who universally liked America – those who had contact with Peace Corps volunteers in their home countries, and those who had studied at a U.S. university.
At Texas Tech, I was tremendously impressed with our international students’ dedication to learning about our culture and nation along with their disciplined study habits. I got to know many of them as individuals along with their families; quite a few parents were delighted to have their sons and daughters studying in a safe community whose ethos exemplified traditional American values.
After graduation, most students return to their home countries, while some qualify for a highly sought after opportunity to remain in the U.S.
These tend to be exceptionally skilled in the most desired professional and technical fields, and they go on to add tremendous value to our country.
Many turn out to be entrepreneurs who produce scientific or technical breakthroughs or start businesses employing high numbers of our citizens.
And most of those who do return to their home countries take with them an affection for and an understanding of America which no amount of propaganda or paid publicity could ever buy.
Our colleges and universities don’t simply sell a quality education, they sell America.
Unfortunately, in today’s world it’s also necessary to address the vulnerabilities of hosting so many international students.
Two obvious problem areas are students who commit illegal acts or engage in conduct inimical to America’s interests -- such as advocating support for a terrorist organization.
Another concern involves students from countries hostile to the U.S. – such as China – who may be here to spy or steal our technology.
Even though some Chinese students are no doubt here with malevolent intent, the great majority are not, and I delight in the thought of so many going back “infected” with dangerous American “viruses” such as the concepts of freedom, liberty and limited government powers.
But the negative risks can be mitigated. On the front end, our embassies, which give students visas to study here can undertake a thorough background check on applicants before granting them the right to travel to the U.S.
And students seeking to study here from hostile nations can be restricted on their fields of study and limited on access to research projects.
At the university level – again based on my experience at Texas Tech – international offices are capable of monitoring students’ classroom performance and potential behavior problems and can end their eligibility to study in the U.S. Of course, close cooperation and coordination between universities and U.S. immigration is required to make this system work effectively.
What we should not do is allow one of America’s major exports and greatest soft power assets to be lost because of its abuse by a small minority of beneficiaries.
China, along with our other adversaries, would be delighted to see us slam the door on international students and take away the “welcome” mat. And even some of our friends would rejoice, since the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada all compete fiercely with us for international students because of the benefits I discussed above.
In addition, a great number of U.S. colleges and universities would be hit hard, with classes, departments, and even some institutions having to close. A classic case of tossing out the baby with the bathwater!
One of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s major dictums is that America should pursue policies which make us stronger, more secure, or more prosperous. International students are a perfect trifecta because, managed properly, their presence in the U.S. hits all three!