For many international students, earning an American college degree is a lifetime goal.

The majority of international students attending Syracuse University pursuing undergraduate and master’s degrees are able to afford the expensive price tag of higher education despite various extra funds they might have to produce.

‘The cost for one year at SU in an undergraduate program is approximately $44,686,’ said Patricia Burak, director of the SU Slutzker Center for International Services.

Most of them pay full tuition and fees, as well as insurance, housing, meal plans and books – whereas American students have the opportunity to receive a discount based on their parents’ income, Burak said.

When proportionally compared to the percentage of U.S. students on campus, international students spend more than the average American student, she said. This type of temporary immigration adds to the Central New York economy, as students spend money traveling, studying and buying locally.

‘When I am training a foreign student, I am providing a service bought by this student, and it is an export,’ said Mary Lovely, an associate professor of economics.

Since the United States is an attractive country to many ambitious international students, the university benefits because of its research capabilities, Lovely said. American schools make an extra effort to market to intelligent international students – part of an effort to increase diversity and national competitiveness in a global market.

‘Foreign students coming to the United States are highly trained people with skills, coming in legally,’ Lovely said.

International students spend money in the community, and they also add cultural diversity to the SU campus, Burak said. Graduate students spent more than $17 million in living expenses in 2005 (the last year for which statistics were made available), contributing to more than 10 percent of SU’s budget.

A majority of undergraduates from affluent international cultures return to their home country immediately after receiving a degree, but some of the graduate students choose to stay for one year of practical training, which is legally permissible, Burak said.

According to SCIS data, a year of graduate school at SU ranges from $36,800 to $56,000, depending on the school of choice. A majority of those students provide the tuition and living expenses independently or have their family send them money, Burak said. Of 1,724 international graduate students in 2005, 1,112 provided from themselves or received financial assistance from their respective families.

‘Those students don’t cost anything to SU and add a great value to our community,’ Burak said.

The value of international students is priceless when it comes to cultural knowledge, Burak said. She added that the students add cultural diversity and can produce alternative perspectives to discussions.

‘They have got higher abilities, their training is already done, all great advantages for SU’s community,’ Lovely said.

The counter effect of international students leaving their home countries is currently under-researched, Lovely said. Presumably, if they don’t return, it is a great loss for the country, she added.

On a positive note, the students usually channel money to the home country, which is an economic asset, Lovely said.

‘Those kind of people are independent, ambitious and know what they want to do,’ Lovely said.

Published on November 26, 2007 at 12:00 pm