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11-Sep-09 10:00 AM EST

The Way of the World

This article appeared as a feature article in the Boston College Chronicle and details the experience of Australian students at Boston College.

Yes, the dollar has fallen. But that's not the only reason why Boston College's international student population is on the rise — or why it may keep going up.

He was born and raised on the other side of the world, but Adam Lewis finds it hard to feel homesick at Boston College — he keeps running into so many of his fellow Australians.

A master's candidate in psychology from Canberra, Lewis is among the 46 students — exchange and degree-seeking — who have helped propel BC to become the second-most popular school in the United States for Australian scholars this academic year, according to the Institute of International Education.

"It does not surprise me especially," said Lewis of the ranking. "BC is an excellent university and its environment provides the opportunity for a fantastic experience for overseas students, inside and outside the classroom. Australians are generally 'non-insular' and realize the importance of gleaning a variety of experiences as part of the holistic educative process, so it is unsurprising to discover that there are a number of 'us' at BC."

BC has seen a 50 percent increase in new international students during the past year, raising its overall international population to six percent (three percent undergraduate, 12 percent graduate). Approximately 400 undergraduates and 500 graduate students from abroad are taking classes at BC this year. Besides Australia, the countries that enroll the most students at BC are China (143), South Korea (106) and Canada (also 46).

The rise is noteworthy, says Office of International Students and Scholars Director Adrienne Nussbaum, in that it may herald a more sustained expansion of BC's international student population — about 10 percent at the undergraduate level is an optimal standard for a college like BC.

Nussbaum cites a number of factors for the increase. Chief among them, she says, was the opening last fall of the School of Theology and Ministry, which attracted many students from Africa, particularly Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Zambia.

Boston College graduate students Tanya Price and

Adam Lewis, both from Australia, share a laugh as

they discuss their experiences dealing with common American stereotypes of Australians. (Photo by Christopher Huang)

Economics also plays a role. Nussbaum said the informal consensus among college administrators across the region is that the devaluation of the dollar has spurred more overseas interest in American institutions of higher education. Because the vast majority of undergraduate international degree students pay 100 percent of their tuition, room and board, a weak dollar means the same services are effectively cheaper for international students.

"Boston College enjoys a very positive national reputation. That, combined with the devaluation of the dollar, makes BC an attractive destination for international exchange and degree-seeking students," said Nussbaum. It is not only the international students who benefit. With partner schools in 65 countries around the globe, BC students have opportunities to study abroad in some of the most reputable institutions in the world.

But even for those who remain on campus, a more diverse student population is a tremendous benefit, both to students and professors, Nussbaum said

"Whether in the classroom or socially, incorporating international students exposes people to a different, global perspective," said Nussbaum. "Not only is it a matter of learning about a new culture, but it allows the international students to see the US in a different light."

Office of International Programs Assistant Director Esther Messing said new trends in international higher education also have added to the increased enrollment.

"In the last five years, the trend worldwide has been for universities and colleges to push students to study abroad. Foreign universities are really recognizing the importance of having their students experience a travel abroad opportunity while undergraduates," said Messing.

Messing said BC has seen double-digit percentage increases in international exchange students from Italy, France and China over the last year, with most students gravitating toward majors in economics, finance, communications and political science.

Messing said her office is looking to continue the upward trend: This year a partnership with the top business school in Germany will begin and efforts are being made with departments across BC to better engage international students while they are part of the community.

"We live in a global society and it's important for us, as individuals, to broaden our understanding of the world," said Messing.

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