Nearly Half of Int’l Students Worried About Safety Before Moving to US, Survey Finds

A recent survey has found that 49 percent of international students were worried about crime, theft, and their safety before moving to the United States to pursue degrees.

According to Terra Dotta’s 2024 International Student Survey of 356 international students, social integration and career preparation are other reasons international students said they were worried before moving to the US, Erudera.com reports.

“While students are drawn by the reputation, programs, and professional prospects offered in the US, they also encounter challenges in integrating socially and academically,” the report by Terra Dotta reads, a platform with a mission to facilitate cross-cultural experiences for students and staff worldwide.

Before moving to the US, some 33 percent of students expected to struggle with social interactions, and 29 percent were afraid of experiencing homesickness.

Findings show that 47 percent cited the amount of school assignments as the primary source of stress while studying. Meanwhile, pressure to perform well in exams was the main stressor for 37 percent of respondents,

26 percent of respondents reported concerns about discrimination, bias based on nationality, gender, or other reasons before moving to the US. Almost half of students said they witnessed discrimination.

On a more positive note, half of the students (53 percent) participating in the study said they feel “extremely well integrated” into the campus community. On the other hand, 24 percent reported feeling “moderately integrated” into the campus community. Differently, 8 percent do not feel integrated at all.

Reputation & Quality Attract 58% of International Students to US Universities

The survey confirms that one of the main reasons international students choose to study in the US is the high reputation of universities (58 percent), followed by the quality of programs these institutions deliver (48 percent).

The US is a popular study destination for 45 percent of international students because of the promising job opportunities. Over half of the international students (56 percent) admitted they will be seeking employment after graduation.

While choosing a university in the US, most students (65 percent) used institutions’ websites to research their programs, whereas 38 percent collaborated with agents.

67 percent said immigration policies in the US did not change their minds about studying in the US, compared to 7 percent who said they had a “very positive impact.” A significant 72 percent reported positive experiences during their visa process and immigration procedures.

The report recommends that universities prioritize student well-being and advocate for supporting immigration policies to create a better environment for international students.

Projections: 10 Million International Students Globally by 2030, US to Attract One-Fifth

According to the Power of International Education 2023 report published in March 2024 by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the number of internationally mobile students is expected to increase from about 6 million in 2023 to over 10 million by 2030. Of these, as much as one-fifth will want to study in the US.

The United States hosts the largest number of international students annually. In the 2022/23 academic year, more than one million international students attended US colleges and universities (1,057,188), the Open Doors 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange showed.

International student enrollment grew 12 percent, the fastest increase in 40 years. The number of new international students also went up 14 percent. China and India remain the top student source markets, with 289,526 and 268,923 students, respectively.

“...We look forward to doing even more to attract international students to the United States and serve as the global leader in international education,” Assistant US Secretary of State Lee Satterfield said upon release of the Open Doors report.

There were only 144,708 international students in the United States in the 1970/71 academic year.

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