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> Education is a long term investment in the future and one that the US has being failing making for some time now. The treatment of foreign students is partic

by kanak 16y ago

> Education is a long term investment in the future and one that the US has being failing making for some time now. The treatment of foreign students is particularly perplexing. We come here, spend 4+ years learning at the best colleges, honing our craft, becoming skilled, and learning from the experts. What happens when we graduate? We face a supremely unfriendly immigration scenario where we have to essentially find a job or be deported. Even when we find a job, we're totally at the mercy of our employer to remain in the US. I know quite a few people who just left the country because of these immigration related issues... and I think it's america's loss because these people have gone on to launch startups/do research abroad.

mikecarlucci 16y ago
I don't know if it's just fears about offshoring or what but anyone who has already been allowed to come and study in the country should have an opportunity to stay. Running a school as a business and then sending "clients" away after graduation makes sense for the school, but not for the idea of education. Like people who "buy American" and get a Ford made in Mexico rather than a Honda made in America, it isn't "us" and "them." If a foreign student gets hired here, has a family, and contributes to the American economy, they've become American and those statistics about degree shortages look a lot better.
- kanak 16y ago
  It's specially ridiculous when you consider the fact that as a grad student you are actually PAID to study (granted, it's not a huge amount, but the point remains). So essentially, I come here, get paid to study, learn from the best, and go back home where I can put my skills to use for people other than Americans.
  - pyre 16y ago
    There's a lot of anti-immigration sentiment. The logic (or anti-logic if you will) plays out something like this: * I don't like immigrants because they take jobs from hard-working Americans. [ Note that this doesn't differentiate between 'off-shoring' and 'immigration' ] * Foreigners in our schools are taking away spots that could be filled by Americans. * If we allow foreigners to study here, and then make it easy for them to stay, then it's a double-whammy. They are "taking education away from Americans," and then staying here to "take jobs away from Americans" too. There is also a smattering of, "oh noes, the person from country X will only be loyal to country X and will therefore be a spy in our midst!" Note: I don't hold the above beliefs.

by kanak 16y ago

mikecarlucci 16y ago

I don't know if it's just fears about offshoring or what but anyone who has already been allowed to come and study in the country should have an opportunity to stay. Running a school as a business and then sending "clients" away after graduation makes sense for the school, but not for the idea of education. Like people who "buy American" and get a Ford made in Mexico rather than a Honda made in America, it isn't "us" and "them." If a foreign student gets hired here, has a family, and contributes to the American economy, they've become American and those statistics about degree shortages look a lot better.

kanak 16y ago
It's specially ridiculous when you consider the fact that as a grad student you are actually PAID to study (granted, it's not a huge amount, but the point remains). So essentially, I come here, get paid to study, learn from the best, and go back home where I can put my skills to use for people other than Americans.
- pyre 16y ago
  There's a lot of anti-immigration sentiment. The logic (or anti-logic if you will) plays out something like this: * I don't like immigrants because they take jobs from hard-working Americans. [ Note that this doesn't differentiate between 'off-shoring' and 'immigration' ] * Foreigners in our schools are taking away spots that could be filled by Americans. * If we allow foreigners to study here, and then make it easy for them to stay, then it's a double-whammy. They are "taking education away from Americans," and then staying here to "take jobs away from Americans" too. There is also a smattering of, "oh noes, the person from country X will only be loyal to country X and will therefore be a spy in our midst!" Note: I don't hold the above beliefs.