US Hits Record International Students, OPT Participation Up

• The U.S. has record the highest number of international students, despite a slight drop in new enrollments.
• Rising OPT participation highlights the increasing focus on career opportunities post-graduation for international students.
• Tighter visa requirements and education costs have slightly slowed new enrollments, but the U.S. remains a top destination.

The United States has registered the highest ever number of overall international students in its academic institutions, while the number of new students has shown a slight drop.

 According to the latest statistics, the overall number of international students has superseded all past records, which indicates that the appeal of education in the United States is unbroken and unshaken across the world. However, the rise in the number of students is accompanied by an increase in the number of students in the OPT program as well.

The statistics bring to light the fact that even as the number of international students has broken records in the United States, the pace at which new enrollments are being reported has been lower in the past years due to tighter visa requirements and the rising costs of education in the country.

However, the United States has consistently been one of the top preferences for students looking for the best education in the world.

Also read: US Halts Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

One factor that has contributed to the increasing numbers of international students is that of increasing OPTS enrollment. OPT gives international students two-year working privileges in the US after completing their college education if their course is relevant to their employment offers in the US.

Since many international students have opted for OPT working privileges, many have considered studying in US colleges and universities as a good plan due to working opportunities provided by OPT.

Experts say the increasing OPT participation reflects changing priorities among international students in the way they view their U.S. education-as a path not only to an academic degree but to career advancement in a global economy.

Coupled with professional exposure, a sound educational system is what keeps international students coming into the United States despite challenges brought forth by its immigration system.