ALLIANCE COMMENTARY
Germany’s International Student Population Grows 6%
Recent data from DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, the international student population in Germany rose to 340,000 in 2016, according to the PIE News. The growth is remarkable considering the German government released a six-year plan in 2014 to increase international student numbers from 100,000 to 350,000 by 2020. Germany will likely surpass its goal by the end of the 2017 academic year.
University Leadership Unite in Opposition to Executive Order Travel Ban
31 of the top universities in the United States joined forces and filed an amicus brief challenging the Trump administration’s revised travel ban. Although the new version of the Executive Order only bars people from six specific Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S., universities are already seeing negative effects on their campuses.
Latin America Agents Report Decline in English Language Learning in the U.S.
The PIE News reports that interest among Latin American students to study in the United States will stagnate with students seeking other English Language destinations. Agents at the International Association of Language Centers workshop in Boston said that the White House’s anti-immigration rhetoric has given rise to concern among families of Latin American students being unsafe and unwelcome in the United States.
Letter to the Editor: Politico "They Think We Are Slaves"
POLITICO’s coverage of the Au Pair Program (“They Think We Are Slaves,” March 27) was surprisingly one-sided. While any report of an au pair having a less than positive stay in America is troubling, one would get the impression from your story that this is the rule rather than the exception.
Summer Work Travel Data Released in Department of State Report
The U.S. Department of State released its 2016 Summer Work Travel Monitoring Report, a study conducted by the Office of Private Sector Exchange (ECA/EC). The report analyzes the program through 446 field site visits across 25 states, and interviews with 1,582 exchange visitors and 362 host placements. Overall, the findings show that 97% of all SWT exchange visitors interviewed reported being happy or somewhat happy with their program experience, and nearly 90% were happy with their sponsors.
Political Climate Affecting International Student Applications
A new survey reveals that nearly 40 percent of U.S. higher education institutions are seeing a drop in the amount of applications from international students. At 39 percent, the highest declines involved undergraduate applications from the Middle East, as reported by Inside Higher Ed. More than 250 U.S. colleges and universities participated in the survey, which was conducted by six higher education groups including the Institute of International Education and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Former Ambassadors Address Congress on Budget Cuts to U.S. Department of State
The American Academy of Diplomacy and the Council of American Ambassadors call on Congress to reject the proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of State. In a public letter addressed to congressional leadership, the group of distinguished former American diplomats argue that cutting funds for diplomatic efforts at this level would pose serious risks to American security.
Alliance Opposes Unprecedented Proposed Cuts to State Department
For Immediate ReleaseContact: Oriana Pina202-293-6141