"Navigating a Complex World: Why Your Journey as an International Student Matters"

 As a foreign student contemplates a foreign education in the US these days, he or she may wonder if it’s even worth the trouble to face the social environment, visa troubles, and subsequent H1B uncertainty.

From where I’m sitting, countries stand to benefit a lot from more diverse populations, especially those of students. An increased talent quotient (as bad as brain drain is for India!), significant revenue generation, and increased cultural variety and exposure for a local population actually benefit both the immediate environments and cities of foreign students as well as the countries they temporarily reside in.

While local talent is robust, hosting foreign students allows a university, a city, and the entire country to have a higher talent quotient than may otherwise be present. This increased talent quotient fosters a sense of invention, innovation, and intellectualism – all traits that benefit any country or environment. Having a higher talent quotient also adds to a growing business environment and drives revenues due to more productivity and better quality of work. If we extrapolate this across all of the potential employers in the US, it’s not an insignificant factor.  

In the US alone, foreign students have a marked impact on revenue in the US through tuition and rent.  In 2022/2023, foreign students contributed $40.1 billion to the economy, during the COVID-19 pandemic, no less. That’s a very shiny and huge penny. It's certain that US colleges and universities benefit directly from the foreign populations they support, especially in states like New York, Texas, and California. The foreign remittance that goes back to students’ homes cannot be ignored either. The ability to get a “branded” education from the US often times leads to better job opportunities, better income for the student, and potentially life-changing trajectories for a family. If students are driving so much revenue just from rent and tuition (leave alone corporate revenue and benefits), it stands to say that allowing themselves to better their financial situations and support their families is a win-win situation.

The entire country also benefits from increased cultural variety and exposure. An increase in art forms, food varieties, music, and global perspectives helps lead local citizens to have a more global viewpoint and take a broader view of humanity and empathy than those who have less or no exposure. Exposure also helps a population to look past the natural human instinct to fear and “other” those who are different. The world is now thoroughly connected and having a tolerance and understanding of those different from oneself is vital to not only personal growth, but community and national growth as well.

As a student or any foreign resident, know that you still have a lot to contribute to the environment in America, even if it’s not a simple time right now. Put your best (your country) foot forward and shine, being the best you. Use this experience to question your own biases, examine if you, too, have room for growth. Life abroad can be challenging, and you may encounter difficult people. Don’t let fear stop you from pursuing your dreams and moving in a way that’s genuine to you. Lastly, I would encourage you not to lump all Americans into the hateful bucket. I know it’s easy to do, and if you engage with any media at all, it makes it seem as if the entire country feels and behaves like this; they don’t. Find the folks who gel with you and help you on your own personal growth journey.  Exposure to outsiders is critical for us to evolve as a species and continue to move towards a more enlightened and open mindset, and you, my dear foreign student, are a part of that. And that’s truly amazing, keep your head up.

Acculturis is here to support you as you build your tribe, and we believe deeply in the value that foreign students bring to the excellent city of Indianapolis. Come check us out for support in relocating to a university, settling down once you arrive, or having the support of a thriving international community and building friends. We got you.