Fall in international students hits Massachusetts
The drop in international students threatens Massachusetts universities and the economy, impacting jobs and enrollment.
Massachusetts could face a significant blow to its university system and economy this fall due to a sharp decline in the arrival of international students.
A report by NAFSA: Association of International Educators estimates that enrollment of new international students in the U.S. could plummet by as much as 40% to 30%, resulting in a loss of more than 12,000 students at state higher education institutions.
An educational and economic pillar at risk
Massachusetts is the fourth state in terms of international students, a group that represents a key driver for its universities and its economy. Institutions such as Northeastern University (35% international students), Clark University (34%), Babson College (35%), MIT (31%), and Berklee College of Music (29%) rely heavily on this student body.
“Your neighbors probably work at a university. Someone on your street almost certainly has ties to an educational institution, and this will soon become a problem for everyone,” warned Jon Marcus, higher education editor at The Hechinger Report.
Economic and labor consequences
The impact of this decline could translate into tens of thousands of lost jobs, increased tuition for American students, and a reduced presence of foreign talent in the technology and entrepreneurial sectors.
Many international students, especially those in graduate school, remain in Massachusetts after graduation, holding key positions in technology companies or creating their own startups, thereby creating jobs for others, including U.S. citizens.
Causes of hair loss
The report attributes the decline to funding cuts and more restrictive immigration policies that make it difficult for students to arrive and stay. Even with court rulings that have temporarily halted measures against institutions like Harvard, uncertainty remains high.
“We are discouraging people who have historically fueled our economy and strengthened our reputation as a center of innovation,” Marcus said.
For now, universities don't have a clear strategy to reverse the situation. "I wouldn't want to be a university president right now; this is on top of all the other challenges they already face," Marcus acknowledged.
The decline in international students not only threatens the financial stability of institutions, but also jeopardizes an economic model that for decades has made Massachusetts one of the most influential academic and technological epicenters in the country.
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