The Lifetime Impact of an International Education

By Mim Lee Phillips, MS

International students choosing to study in the U.S. find high value in the experiences they have, lasting a lifetime. Significant for today, higher education institutions see economic fallout from the pandemic and could lose more than monetary repercussions. While in 2018 international students attributed 44.7 billion dollars to the U.S. economy, NAFSA estimates a $3 billion loss in 2020. This impacts both higher education institutions and creates an even greater loss to industries closely associated with international students. Challenging times, definitely. But an additional loss to consider is the potential decrease in enrollments and the inherent value of social mobility for today and future generations in the U.S. and abroad.

International students choose to complete their tertiary education outside of their home country based on many variables. Influencing decisions range from future economic goals, family, adventure, friends/influencers, prestige, scholarships, and the list continues. Dr. Timothy Carey states, “Good choices are decisions that keep you heading in the direction in which you want to go.” No one can doubt that the value of studying across the globe is most likely a very good decision. Lived experiences are imprinted in our memory, resulting in how we interact for the rest of our lives. Recognizing potential global benefits such as learned independence, understanding cultural differences, language proficiency, new education system, meeting new people, and resiliency.

By focusing on the human-centered international experience of four women from four countries across four decades, we can see that — within a 40 year span — the time spent in international higher education leaves an indelible imprint and significantly impacts a person for the rest of their lives.​

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Dr. Zohreh Kazemi, M.D. OB/GYN

Country of birth: Iran
Undergraduate: The College of William & Mary, BBA in Business Administration  
Medical School: University of Arizona, PhD
Current Position: Practicing medicine in the United States

When Zohreh was in kindergarten and first grade, her father moved his family from Iran to Bloomington, Indiana, where he studied at the university. Back in Iran, Zohreh attended an international school from 3-12th grade. 

“Attending an international school was the most invaluable experience of my life. Growing up with people who were from all over the world and/or had traveled all over the world enriched my life. Being exposed to different cultures, ethnicities, religions, foods, and languages from a very young age gave me a more expansive view of living in this world. I’ve always felt and still feel that all the differences are the texture of the world. It allowed me to see that we are all more similar than we are different.”

I also intended to attend university either in the U.K or the U.S. A friend’s mom’s daughter was attending the College of William & Mary, so I heard about the school and when I read the brochure I saw they talked about international students, and I liked that they talked about it. The College of William & Mary was great. I think whenever you experience something different it broadens you. I think you also learn to be more comfortable in new situations because you are always meeting new friends."

What does the future hold for international education?
"It breaks my heart that it seems there’s so much more nationalism not just in the U.S. but globally. I hope we can reverse that. We can learn so much from each other and live a richer life from international experiences in schooling, travel, and daily life. We need international experiences to keep this world moving in a more productive manner. We have a lot to learn from each other."

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Chienyu Jade Yi

Country of birth: Taiwan 
Undergraduate: Taiwan
Post graduate: Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Master of Divinity
Post graduate: Wheaton College, MA TESOL and Intercultural Studies 
Current Position: Pastor in the United States

When Jade was studying in Japan she decided she needed to improve her TOEFL score.

“I left Japan and studied English at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). I chose UT Austin because it was affordable and I intended to continue my studies in Japan. However, I ended up in Mexico and then back in the U.S. As I recollect my own experiences as an international student and see whom I have become today, I believe that the value of international education is to bring the world closer to each other and expand the worldviews of international students and the institutions. And these international students will be the key to projecting and passing on the value to any organizations where they are employed.”

Future of International Education:
“Being an international student, I wish that I had been well equipped to deal with cultural shock and the ability to cope with discrimination. Nonetheless, it was an adventure of both blessings and challenges. I believe that in order to live out any value of international education, it is crucial to constantly evaluate the engagements and interactions between the international students and domestic/native students, and design courses that address cultural appreciation and create opportunities inside and outside the classroom for students to practice cultural sensitivity.”

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Van Pham

Country of birth: Vietnam
Associate Degree in business: South Seattle College 
Undergraduate: Seattle University, BA in Business Administration with an emphasis on economics and international business 
MBA candidate: NYU Stern School of Business

As a high school exchange student from Vietnam, during that same year she looked at different options and chose Washington state’s high school completion program at South Seattle College. With the option of high school completion and also having a relative nearby, Van cemented her decision and was on her way to starting her educational journey.

“I believe strongly in the benefits of having global experiences as catalysts for professional and personal growth. Personally, I would not be the person I am today had I not experienced living and studying abroad myself many years ago. The same belief also drove me to pursue a career in international education because I wanted to share the same opportunity with others. After working in international education for seven years, I have a deep appreciation for the international students whom we serve. They enrich all of us with their talent and culture; they also make significant contributions to our economy. They are truly valuable members of our community. I also admire the incredible work and advocacy that school administrators and staff carry out to ensure student success and a sense of community within the international student body, though much is still needed to be done.”

Future of International Education:
“The changing political environment in recent years has made it much more difficult for U.S. international education. As educators, many of us, myself included, were/are poorly equipped to manage the changes, and our students suffer because of it. However, I am hopeful because of the resiliency of international students and the resourcefulness of mission-driven international educators to pull through these challenging times.”

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Kiki van Essen

Country of birth: Netherlands
Associate Degree: Green River College
Undergraduate: Minnesota State University, BS Communication 
Post graduate: Minnesota State University, MA Communications
PhD candidate: Arizona State University, Communication Studies

With high hopes to experience “America” as she saw it portrayed in television and movies, Kiki came to the U.S. intending to spend part of her gap year in America. Along the way, she found herself staying a bit longer. Kiki is currently embarking on a PhD, focusing research on international students to learn more about the friendship development that happens while living abroad and about changing family dynamics when students move.

“I’m very grateful for the international education I have enjoyed so far and am still enjoying. Throughout my years, I have grown more as a person than what I could have done staying in my home country. I had to learn a new education system, culture, language, and more. This helped me appreciate the world as a whole much better. I have met amazing friends from all over the world and even my fiancé! International education can have its drawbacks too as the connections you make while living abroad are away from your home country. It’s very important to know how to build strong professional networks to really finish your education with an edge over your peers who stay at home.”

“Sometimes my struggle with the perspective some universities and colleges have on international students, seeing us as cash cows. A significant amount of profit is made through international education. Universities should not see international students solely as a revenue stream, but as a valuable and integral part of the university.”

"International higher education can push students tremendously, but universities don’t do students any favor by recruiting them — I have encountered students who were not emotionally ready for such big changes in their lives. I also found that some universities downplay the financial cost, which is very harmful to families who pull together everything they own to send their children abroad. Both circumstances can put students in dangerous situations, especially with a lack of proper care. International education isn’t a golden ticket without risks and should not be treated that way. It does, however, build character and teach self sufficiency.”

Future of International Education:
“I hope that international student voices are heard more, and students’ needs are truly considered in designing orientation programs and continuing support beyond orientation and graduation. With xenophobia at an all time high, it is important for universities to not only help students in coping with such messages but how to actively stand up against it. I have good hope that international education will return after COVID-19; however, I do think international programs will have to work much harder to provide a cutting edge above competing schools.”

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The voices of current and former international students are narratives that are profoundly moving and insightful. International programs within higher education are reminded that students are decidedly more than commodities. Sharing both positive and negative aspects, their experiences are intricately woven in their life stories. Across four decades similar sentiments and memories haven’t changed. Moving forward amidst the economic challenges of today, institutions can reflect on the complexities that international students encounter, problem solve by creating meaningful programs across campus, and continue to be mindful of the distinct challenges international students face. Above all, across the world international education is certainly not over and we can continue to reap the benefits and remind ourselves that we have a lot to learn from each other.

REFERENCES: Reuters, Psychology Today