Southwestern Adventist University

Maintains International Student Enrollment

Tom Bunch, Vice President of Academics (posted 2/3/04)

 

More than 900 students are currently enrolled at Southwestern Adventist University.  Our campus maintains the presence of more than 125 international students from more than 38 different countries. “I chose Southwestern, because I feel more comfortable in an Adventist school, and I have family here in Texas,” said Mairilise Pottin, a business major from Brazil. Pottin plans to earn a MBA from Southwestern also, and later become a hospital administrator. The largest number of international students at SWAU this Fall come from Brazil (22), and Mexico (11).

 

This enrollment, compared to the Fall semester last year, shows an increase of one international student. The numbers have stayed relatively flat, due to various factors which are impacting the international student enrollment nationwide. Studies show that the foreign students are faced with increasing difficulties when applying for student visas which are required to enter the US. “The process is complicated,” said Billy Roger Taes, a junior business major from the Philippines. “They refused to give me my paperwork on the first time.”

 

Because of situations like this, a number of students are seeking deferrals to attend Southwestern in the Spring 2003 semester.  In spite of the difficulties, students seem minimally impacted in Brazil, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Angola, Colombia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Each country has varying requirements to attend school in a foreign country, but most ask for documentation like bank statements showing financial ability to study abroad, an I-20, and a student visa.

 

Most international students remain at Southwestern to complete their degree, or even start new ones. This tendency appears to have helped to have assisted in the stability of the international student population. “Here is where I can get the major I want,” said Delanyo Yawo Gbedze, a MBA student from Togo. “Southwestern contributes to my success because the teachers and staff are very helpful, and they help me overcome the difference between my culture and others.”

 

This stability has a positive impact on the university community. Not only do these students bring diversity and opportunities to broaden our cross-cultural awareness, they also contribute to the economy. According to reports prepared by the Institute for International Education, international students attending Southwestern Adventist University contribute 2.5 million dollars annually to the Keene, Texas community. Overall, the international students attending colleges and universities in Texas contribute 738 million dollars to the Texas economy.

 

Although Southwestern benefits from the presence of international students, their home countries will benefit more. "I want to teach English in Japan," said Hidefumi Yamashiro, a education major from Japan. "I want to go back to Japan because in our culture the first son needs to take care of the parents." Many international students begin in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Southwestern, and later they give back to their home communities by teaching English.

 

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