Courting international students requires new mind-set

In a statement calling for a new mind-set toward Chinese international students in the U.S.A., Xiafeng Wan asserted, "The prevalent mind-set of treating Chinese students as cash cows is not only detrimental to U.S. higher education's reputation for academic excellence and quality but also dehumanizes Chinese students and diminishes their innumerable intellectual and social contributions to their host institutions and U.S. society."

Proof of the economic motivations to attract international students is reflected in many places and particularly in the post-pandemic rebound of international students. While they still represent the largest contingent, the rebound includes a sustained drop in Chinese student enrollment. One of the important elements to consider in working with Chinese students is family and their ability to pay. Stereotypes of Chinese students are that they are all wealthy. While many can pay, or sacrifice to pay, there is considerable variation which must be understood if Chinese families are to continue to fund the enormous amounts of money required for U.S.A. degrees.

Richard J. Joseph in his book, Bridging the Gap Between the Abundance of American Higher Education Talent and the Immense Foreign Demand for it, looks at the necessity of U.S.A. institutions to pay attention to the financial bottom line but urged educators to go further. In addition to the financial implications, Joseph recommended remaining true to the altruistic calling of education as a transformative experience and enhancing sustainability while advancing knowledge diplomacy. While these aims are central, it is important not to perpetuate cultural imperialism but, "strive to strengthen a liberal world order in which men and women can pursue the truth freely, without fear and based on their own cultural values."

Joseph's book, although not focused on the humanities, complements a view that the humanities should embrace international perspectives. In fact, internationalizing may be the path to survival of majors beyond the service courses offered by humanities programs. Advocating more in international perspective is not only strategic for survival but is an important element to "help institutions maximize the effectiveness of exceptionally diverse workforces" and prepare graduates to embrace "the anxieties that many individuals feel in environments without well-defined norms, expectations and pathways to advancement."

Franklin & Marshall was unusually successful in maintaining robust enrollment of international students even during the political gyrations of the Trump years and then the pandemic. Shifting to a Shanghai in-person location and on-line learning helped, which complemented the personal touch of a faculty member who was a strong internationalization advocate. F&M President, Barbara K. Altman, attributes their success to fully meeting student need, whether foreign or domestic, and creating a global community from which all students can benefit.