Mental Health on Minds of International Students Studying in US

Mental health is a big topic of discussion on U.S. college campuses, with universities themselves continually reaching out to students to make sure they are OK. Many international students studying in the U.S. say the concern is novel but welcome. VOA’s Laurel Bowman has more. Camera and video editing by Saqib Ul Islam. …

UW-Madison Launches Program to Cover Indigenous Students’ Full Costs

MADISON, Wis. — Indigenous students from any of Wisconsin’s 11 tribes will be able to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison for free beginning next fall, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced Monday. The Wisconsin Tribal Education Promise program will use private donations and other internal funding to cover tuition, fees, housing, meals, books and other expenses for undergraduate…

Will Online Platforms Usher in an Era of ‘Borderless Education’?

Amid high costs and geopolitical turmoil, many would-be international students are dissuaded from studying abroad. New online platforms, such as Educate Online, are promising “high-quality, zero-border education for a fraction of the cost.” Read more about Educate Online in this contributor piece published by Jon Stojan in USA Today. (December 2023) ]  …

Neglecting Nutrition and Exercise can Cause Problems for College Students

In the rush and excitement of American college life, it’s easy for students to ignore the basics of good nutrition and regular exercise.  But University Press warns that inadequate nutrition and exercise can affect mental and physical health, social life and academic performance. (November 2023)  …

US College Football Traditions Can be Lost on International Students

American-style football is a big part of college life on many campuses – with chants, songs, rivalries and homecoming celebrations.   But the celebration can be lost on international students, who aren’t typically familiar with the sport. The World reports Colorado State University offers a noncredit course to help students understand American football. (November 2023)   …

Donor Threatens To Withdraw $100 million From University After Congressional Hearing

A University of Pennsylvania donor has threatened to withdraw a $100 million donation from The Wharton School, the university’s business school, following the appearance of the university’s president before Congress. University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill appeared before Congress Tuesday along with leaders of two other Ivy League schools – Harvard President Claudine Gay and…

Proposal Would Remove Student Aid for Those Who Support Some Palestinian Groups

A Florida lawmaker has proposed eliminating scholarships, tuition breaks and fee waivers for students who are suspected of “promoting terrorist organizations.”  According to WOKV television, the bill appears to be in line with Florida efforts to disband pro-Palestinian groups on college campuses. (November 2023)  …

US Lawmakers Grill University Presidents About On-Campus Antisemitism

The presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were questioned by House lawmakers on Tuesday over whether their administrations are doing enough to combat the wave of antisemitism that has swept their campuses as the Israel-Hamas war rages. Republican Representative Virginia Foxx said the three presidents were called to…

China the No. 1 Country Sending Students to US, Data Show

China, India and South Korea sent the most students to the U.S. in 2023, according to Open Doors 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange. Open Doors is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Among other things, the report broke down the schools with the largest number of international students. New York University took the…

International Students Boosted US Economy by $40 Billion in 2022-23

In the 2022-23 academic year, more than 1 million international students were in the U.S., and they contributed more than $40 billion to the U.S. economy, Forbes reports. That figure’s up 19% from the previous academic year, according to NAFSA: Association for International Educators. Read the full story here. (November 2023)  …

Lacking Counselors, US Schools Turn to Booming Business of Online Therapy

Trouble with playground bullies started for Maria Ishoo’s daughter in elementary school. Girls ganged up, calling her “fat” and “ugly.” Boys tripped and pushed her. The California mother watched her typically bubbly second-grader retreat into her bedroom and spend afternoons curled up in bed. For Valerie Aguirre’s daughter in Hawaii, a spate of middle school…