Breaking News

Weak dollar attracts students to United States, KU

By Betsy Cutcliff

Monday, August 18, 2008

The falling value of the dollar and the improvement of the economy abroad has opened the door for more international students to come to the University of Kansas.

The low exchange rate, mixed with China’s economic boom, has given students an opportunity to study abroad and become a Jayhawk.

Peter Morgan, Hastings, England, junior, was one student who took advantage of the weak dollar.

“Now is the time to study abroad if you want more for your money,” he said.

This year saw the University’s largest international orientation, said Katelyn McGill, coordinator of this year’s international student orientation. Approximately 300 international students enrolled directly at the University for the fall semester.

While it is easier and less expensive for students around the world to come to the United States, there has been an influx of Chinese students eager to take advantage of the chance to learn in America’s capitalist environment.

“The Chinese economy is improving so parents have money now to send their children to school overseas,” McGill said.

Students have come from rural and urban areas all over China, studying everything from American History to microbiology. Shangnan Lin came to the University from Sichuan to study English to further her career goals.

“I want to be a successful leader in my family’s company,” Lin said.

Lin’s family, which owns a steel company, has benefited greatly from the expanding infrastructure in the south-central Sichuan province. Within the past few years, Lin’s family moved into a bigger house and was able to afford sending her to the University.

Youyang Xu, Jilin, was also enjoying the flourishing Chinese economy and said she knew she wanted to study in the United States when her family could afford it.

“It is a better location for studying,” Xu said. At home in China’s Jilin province, Xu’s family is enjoying a bigger house and more luxuries. She said everyday life has improved now that her parents are making more money.

But Chinese exchange students aren’t the only ones benefiting from the combination of overseas economic growth and the falling dollar. Students from Europe and Australia are also taking advantage of the opportunity to study here at nearly half the cost. According to the University’s Web site, standard tuition for a non-resident for the 2008-2009 year is $16,800. The current exchange rate is 67 cents to the euro, compared with 91 cents per euro in 2000, and 53.5 cents to the British pound, compared to $1.50 per pound in 2000, according to www.xe.com.

Dani Snow, Sydney, Australia, junior, wouldn’t have normally come to the United States to study abroad.

“I would’ve gone to the U.K., but it was more expensive than coming here,” Snow said.

Like U.S. students, many international students pay for school through student loans or through their parents.

Richard Honey, Essex, England, junior, was paying for college himself and depended on the low dollar to study abroad.

“If it was one pound to the dollar, I wouldn’t have come here,” Honey said. “In fact, I probably wouldn’t have studied abroad at all.”

While studying in the United States, foreign students have been taking advantage of the exchange rate by traveling around the country. Popular sites include Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, where normally high prices don’t break the bank for foreigners.

— — Edited by Arthur Hur

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Advertisement