GLOBALLY MOBILE STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INDUSTRY (HEI) WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR U.S. HIGHER EDUCATION INDUSTRY?

Abstract

ABSTRACT From the earliest history of the civilized world, one the key engines for growth in an economy has been education of human beings. As the knowledge-based economies evolved, public policy officials around the world recognized a need to educate and train enormous number of students by offering the students opportunities to earn degrees offered by institutes of higher education. Welcome to the new world order, where nation states recognize institutes of higher education as a source of competitive advantage. Today, the phenomena of the internationalization of higher education, and student enrollment in study abroad programs to earn academic degrees, is receiving considerable attention from student, higher education administrators and policy makers alike. Taking a cue from public policies, institutes of higher education, including colleges and universities venture abroad to attract international students as well as send students abroad to prepare them for globally integrated workplace. As institutes of higher education expand the geographic scope of their operations, students from other societies and languages, take advantage of studying abroad to enhance their cultural and personal experience, while improving their employability in the globalized sectors of the labor market. Recognizing the intensity of international student mobility flows globally, the author focuses on number of students entering the United States to pursue higher education. Additionally, the author discusses the impact of a broader political climate and impending immigration policy in the United States on globally mobile (international) students and the institutions of higher education. Keywords internationalization, higher education, immigration, tourism, Travel ban