International education exchange has long been a part of higher education in the United States. Dating back to the early national period, foreign missionaries and international students came to colleges and universities, providing diverse cultural perspectives and principles (Dorn, 2017).
Today, international education is a staple at many higher education institutions, with offices and departments dedicated to study abroad and international student services.
In this Learning Activity, we will take a deeper look at the history and impact of international students studying at American institutions, as well as the visa and immigration changes that paved the way for them to do so. Please consider the following questions throughout the activity:
Which demographic populations are included? Which are excluded?
How are international students represented in today’s education systems?
What does the international student population look like at your institution?
Please move through the learning activity in the following order: Introduction, Quiz, History, Primary Sources, Analysis, and Resources.
Happy learning!