**GAO-08-878T**                      Published: Jun 19, 2008. Publicly Released: Jun 19, 2008.                  

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## Highlights

In the years following September, 11, 2001, the United States experienced its first drop in the number of international students coming to the United States in over 30 years. The United States tightened its immigration policy during this time, which may have made it more difficult for foreign nationals, including international students, to apply for a visa and, subsequently may have fueled the perception that the United States is unwelcoming. While enrollment numbers have started to rebound, they have not returned to pre-September 11 levels. This testimony is based on ongoing and published GAO work. It includes themes from a June 2007 testimony on challenges in attracting international students. It also includes ongoing work to review other countries' efforts to attract and fund international students.

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## Topics

Education

Aid for educationCollege studentsColleges and universitiesComparative analysisCultural exchange programsEducation program evaluationExchange of persons programsForeign governmentsForeign studentsGraduate educationHigher educationImmigrationInternational agreementsInternational cooperationInternational relationsProgram evaluationProgram managementPublic diplomacyForeign countriesProgram coordinationProgram goals or objectives