Weak dollar attracts students to United States,

The falling dollar and economic growth in home countries are favorable for international students. 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.…………………………..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.…………………… [View Full Article]

China climbs ranks of top study abroad spots

China is hoping that American college students watching the Summer Olympics will want to travel there, providing a bump similar to what Australia and Greece enjoyed in 2000 and 2004.
But even before the 2008 Games, China was already on its way as the hot new destination for study abroad. There are almost certainly at least 10,000 U.S. students now enrolled annually in programs in China, up fivefold from a decade ago. China is the seventh most popular destination for U.S. students, according to the Institute of International Education. But it's growing so quickly that, if trends continue, it will soon pass countries like Britain, Spain and Italy and become the most popular.…………………While study abroad generally is growing, China's particular popularity has a range of explanations. It's cheaper than Europe, whose currencies have pummeled the U.S. dollar. There's a supply of American-trained Chinese academics who help bridge the language and culture gap. And China itself has become more welcoming, hoping to emulate how the United States has used its universities to extend its global influence..
They're also looking for a challenge……………Still, like so much associated with rapid growth in China, it's not clear if the current growth rate can continue. Some universities have put the breaks on expansion plans for their Chinese partnerships. There are concerns about quality, and programs admit there's a long list of challenges — lining up local staff, host families, and issues like health care. [View Full Article]

Britain tightens rules for overseas students

International students in Britain failing to attend classes will be reported by their universities and colleges, according to new rules aimed at improving education services offered for foreigners announced Wednesday.………However, the government is keen to root out any abuse of the system and encourage only "genuine students and education providers", the government said.Under the new rules, universities and colleges will be required to take greater responsibility for their international students by………………..Any education provider failing to follow the new rules risks a ban on recruiting international students and bogus colleges will be shut down. Under the rules, students will need to be sponsored by a licensed education institution and obtain an identity card in advance, have a good academic track record and demonstrate they can financially support themselves and any dependants.[View Full Article]

UK to launch new visa system for foreign students

New Delhi (PTI): In a move likely to benefit foreign students, including Indians, the United Kingdom is all set to launch a new visa system to enable them pursue studies in the country without hindrance.
The new visa rule will be applicable under Britain's Point Based System (PBS).
Under the new system, the country will simplify the existing immigration rule for the students and education providers, the British High Commission said in a release here.
The key benefit of the system is that students will be able to work out whether they have sufficient points to qualify before applying for a visa.
"The government is committed to encourage people from overseas to study and train in the United Kingdom. The new system will be more transparent and easily understood," it said. [View Full Article]

Wooing international students

At a time when American, European and Australian universities are elbowing each other to woo international students, Indian varsities have decided to shape up for the fear of being shut out when competition comes calling in the form of foreign campuses.
……..Behind these numbers are amends that institutions have put in place—establishing exclusive departments for international students, setting up fully air-conditioned accommodation equipped with hot plates, dryers and other things out of an American hostel. [View Full Article]

Foreign student quota to expand

China plans to increase the quota for government sponsored overseas students, an official with the China Scholarship Council (CSC) said Monday. The country will offer 20,000 overseas students scholarships in 2010, doubling that of 2007..................Overseas students who are awarded scholarships will be given subsidies covering living and tuition expenses......."China has paid great attention to education, and overseas students are also very important," Liu said. He said these students will help Chinese universities become more international. The country is expected to welcome 500,000 overseas students by 2020, including self-sponsored ones, Liu said. China increased the living subsidy for overseas students by almost 50 percent this year from that of last year....................[View Full Article]