In recent years, the number of international students studying in the United States has declined. Reasons for the decline include difficulties in the process of obtaining a student visa, rising U.S. tuition costs, higher recruitment from other English-speaking countries, and better sources of higher education in international students' home countries.¹

However, some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have recently developed scholarship programs to help increase the number of international students studying abroad in the United States. In 2006, Saudi Arabia sent approximately 6,000 students to American universities, compared to only 1,442 in 2004.²

International students planning to study in the United States should do research to find out if their home countries have programs that can assist them with their plans for studying abroad. Students should check with their local educational institutions and governments to inquire about such programs. Students can also visit websites with useful information for studying abroad, such as http://www.iefa.org.

Sources:
¹ Open Doors 2005: International Students in the United States.(2005, Nov. 14). U.S. Sees Slowing Decline in International Student Enrollment in 2004/05. The Institute of International Education. http://opendoors.iienetwork.org/?p=69736.
² Swedlund, E. (2006, March 25). 100 more Saudis to enroll at Arizona. Arizona Daily Star. http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/121662.php.