Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Search
Blogs
HiLife Online 
Most Read
- Sprinkle leaving KITV; wife Young clearing plate
- Friends and associates join search for missing kayaker
- Man missing since Monday is found in Kakaako
- Husband and wife team will no longer anchor at KITV
- Saint Louis Heights home a total loss, fire official says
- Legislators cancel party plans
- Jamora ready for Govs
- Teachers willing to return for restored furlough days
- Desserts offer options to usual pumpkin pie
- Wahine advance to WAC final
- Coast Guard rescues 2 sailors missing for 2 days
Foreign students aid isles’ economy
The benefits to the state continue long beyond graduation, an HPU official says
STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORYThe number of foreign students in Hawaii colleges dropped 6.4 percent last year, but they still brought in more than $117 million to the isles, according to a new report.
There were 5,645 international students studying here in 2007-2008, most of them from Japan.
Scott Stensrud, vice president for enrollment management at Hawaii Pacific University, said the dollar figure, down from $123 million in 2006-2007, underestimates the true financial benefits to Hawaii.
"It doesn't show you the dollar value of the families that come here to vacation at graduation time," he said. "It doesn't show you those students who come back to Hawaii as repeat visitors because after four years here they have a connection to the state."
— Craig Gima
FULL STORY >>
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 17, 2008
College students from other countries spent about $117.6 million in Hawaii last year, according to the annual Open Doors report from the Institute for International Education.
International Students in HawaiiTotal: 5,645 (down 6.4%)Economic impact: $117.6 million (down 5%)
|
The report estimates there were 5,645 international students studying here last year, a 6.4 percent drop from the prior academic year.
Most were from Japan, but other countries sending students include South Korea, Taiwan, China and Germany.
They mostly came to study business, but science, education, humanities, art, agriculture and intensive English language studies also attracted students here.
Scott Stensrud, vice president for enrollment management at Hawaii Pacific University, said he suspects the decrease is due to fluctuations in the number of students who come to Hawaii to improve their English skill.
HPU saw a slight decrease in international student enrollment last year, Stensrud said. But enrollment increased this year, and applications are up for next year.
"We're not seeing any less demand right now," he said.
The report lists HPU in the top 10 among master's-degree universities for its population of international student populations. Brigham Young University Hawaii and the University of Hawaii at Hilo are in the top 10 for bachelor's-degree universities, and Kapiolani Community College has the 30th-largest international student population among community colleges.
"It doesn't surprise me," said Linda Johnsrud, UH vice president of academic affairs. "We've got a culture that's open and welcoming. We've got a very diverse population."
Stensrud said the economic impact of international students is far greater than just their direct spending.
"It just kind of scratches the surface," he said. "It doesn't show you the dollar value of the families that come here to vacation at graduation time. It doesn't show you those students who come back to Hawaii as repeat visitors because after four years here they have a connection to the state.
"What about those that establish business ties here?" he asked. "We have alumni that are taking Hawaii products back to their home countries and setting up import-export businesses."
Since HPU gets its students from other countries, the U.S. mainland and locally, Stensrud said he is watching the economy closely.
A weaker U.S. dollar has made Hawaii a more attractive place to go to school for foreign students, he said.
"We're still a bargain compared to a year ago," he said.
But in the longer term, a weaker economy here and overseas could hurt enrollment, he said.
Even a drop in tourism could hurt enrollment, he said, noting that students from the mainland and Japan come here as tourists with their families, see the HPU commercials on television and start to think about coming here for school.
"It definitely helps us when tourism is up," he said. "If we have fewer families visiting, then fewer families are exposed (to coming to Hawaii for school)."
College students from other countries spent about $117.6 million in Hawaii last year, according to the annual Open Doors report from the Institute for International Education.
International Students in HawaiiTotal: 5,645 (down 6.4%)Economic impact: $117.6 million (down 5%)
|
The report estimates there were 5,645 international students studying here last year, a 6.4 percent drop from the prior academic year.
Most were from Japan, but other countries sending students include South Korea, Taiwan, China and Germany.
They mostly came to study business, but science, education, humanities, art, agriculture and intensive English language studies also attracted students here.
Scott Stensrud, vice president for enrollment management at Hawaii Pacific University, said he suspects the decrease is due to fluctuations in the number of students who come to Hawaii to improve their English skill.
HPU saw a slight decrease in international student enrollment last year, Stensrud said. But enrollment increased this year, and applications are up for next year.
"We're not seeing any less demand right now," he said.
The report lists HPU in the top 10 among master's-degree universities for its population of international student populations. Brigham Young University Hawaii and the University of Hawaii at Hilo are in the top 10 for bachelor's-degree universities, and Kapiolani Community College has the 30th-largest international student population among community colleges.
"It doesn't surprise me," said Linda Johnsrud, UH vice president of academic affairs. "We've got a culture that's open and welcoming. We've got a very diverse population."
Stensrud said the economic impact of international students is far greater than just their direct spending.
"It just kind of scratches the surface," he said. "It doesn't show you the dollar value of the families that come here to vacation at graduation time. It doesn't show you those students who come back to Hawaii as repeat visitors because after four years here they have a connection to the state.
"What about those that establish business ties here?" he asked. "We have alumni that are taking Hawaii products back to their home countries and setting up import-export businesses."
Since HPU gets its students from other countries, the U.S. mainland and locally, Stensrud said he is watching the economy closely.
A weaker U.S. dollar has made Hawaii a more attractive place to go to school for foreign students, he said.
"We're still a bargain compared to a year ago," he said.
But in the longer term, a weaker economy here and overseas could hurt enrollment, he said.
Even a drop in tourism could hurt enrollment, he said, noting that students from the mainland and Japan come here as tourists with their families, see the HPU commercials on television and start to think about coming here for school.
"It definitely helps us when tourism is up," he said. "If we have fewer families visiting, then fewer families are exposed (to coming to Hawaii for school)."
Today’s Edition
- Friends and associates join search for missing kayaker
- Legislators cancel party plans
- Teachers willing to return for restored furlough days
- Harbor officials eye fee increase
- Mammograms: Do I really need this?
- Thanksgiving Day events serve food to those in need
- Kokua Line: Insurance verification uses Social Security info
- Newswatch
- Police and Fire
- Australia's move on credit card fees may have lessons for U.S.
- At Iraqi museum, Google chief announces plan to put artifacts online
- Kona holiday fundraiser helps culinary students
- By Request: Help others and collect the year's best recipes
- The Electric Kitchen: Desserts offer options to usual pumpkin pie
- Pet Ohana
- Da Kine
- Got nutrients?
- Wahine advance to WAC final
- Medeiros catches on at slot
- Prep World: Jamora ready for Govs
- Prep World: Athletes of the Week
- Prep briefs
- Say and Look have Aiea and 'Iolani talking, watching wins
- Cincinnati rolls through Maryland at Maui Invitational
- Couples will play in Hawaii
- Local aces
- Hawaii Beat
- Scoreboard
- TV & Radio
insideStarBulletin.com
