International Student Numbers Continue To Grow

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Picture a college campus on a nice day. Students are walking to class, the library, the cafeteria all wearing jeans, all on their cell phones. They may look alike; but there are many more people of color as diversity has become an important issue.

What may be a surprise is the number of Chinese students. For three years students from India dominated. Chinese graduate students were most numerous; but now there are strong undergraduate numbers. And more than 25,000 Chinese are enrolled in high schools.

The largest group of students are not in classes, are not seeking degrees, or perhaps not speaking English. They're part of the Optional Practical Training, allowing international students to stay and work.

In contrast, fewer Americans are studying abroad, although more non-whites are taking that path. The typical student who now goes for study or for an internship is a white woman.

Learn more in The Chronicle of Higher Education.