Increasingly, foreign students are choosing Canada over US

[DonViejo]

By Laura Krantz GLOBE STAFF SEPTEMBER 16, 2017

TORONTO — Melanie Backal grew up in the bustling capital city of Bogota, Colombia, but for college she wanted to try something new. Her parents told her she would have a chance at a better future if she went to school abroad, and she agreed. She wanted to apply to Harvard.

Then Donald Trump got elected president. Suddenly the United States didn’t seem so appealing. “All the things he said about Latinos, and everything that’s going on there, I decided to not take a risk,” said Backal, a first-year student at the University of Toronto.

The United States has long been the top destination for foreign students who go abroad for college, but a record number are now choosing Canada instead.

Some reasons are longstanding — fear of gun crime in the United States and cheaper tuition up north. But the 2016 election, and with it Trump’s travel ban and what many see as the demonization of foreigners and immigrants and a new wave of racism, has created a post-Trump surge at Canadian colleges.

At the University of Toronto, the number of foreign students who accepted admissions offers rose 21 percent over last year, especially from the United States, India, the Middle East, and Turkey. Other universities across the country also saw record increases in the last year.

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http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/09/16/increasingly-foreign-students-choose-canada-over/khkot6AYt9lakpIFLTNGvM/story.html

[riversedge]

1. It will be interesting to see the foreign student stats for flag ship Universites-such as the

University of Wisconsin Madison, which has always had a large foreign student population. But here in WI, it is also Gov Walker -a trump friend --who has cut funding from Universities. There is definitely a Anti-intellectualism going on in the US at the highest points in Government which is trickling down to state and local governments.

[riversedge]

2. I didnt feel like it was a welcoming atmosphere anymore for an international student, (U.S) !!!.

I think many of us here in the US also feel this way.


.....It is not necessarily the idea of Trump as president that dissuades foreign students from studying in the United States, but the tumultuous climate his election ushered in. High school students in Bangladesh, Ecuador, Iran, and beyond are reading articles about the country and it concerns them.

“I didn’t feel like it was a welcoming atmosphere anymore for an international student,” said Christian Philips, a first-year Toronto student from Egypt. “I wasn’t thinking about Trump or other politicians — I was thinking about people’s perception of me.”

Even before foreign students arrive in Canada, many find it more welcoming than the United States. The paperwork to obtain a study permit is simpler, they said, and unlike in the United States, they can stay and work in Canada for three years after graduation. They also have access to the country’s national health care system. ............

[Not Ruth]

3. University of Toronto or Harvard?

If they are comparable educations, I would take University of Toronto every time.

[sharedvalues]

4. This will destroy America. Google, Intel founded by immigrants

Many of our most vibrant tech and biotech firms are full of smart immigrants who came to America because of our world beating university system.

If we screw up our universities I fear for the US economy. This is a talent driven economy and right now the talent comes to the US. Other countries would LOVE to take that talent away.

[syringis]

6. Trump is a walking calamity...

One of my sons has a degree in computer sciences. He wanted to pursue an MBA in international management. He was looking to apply to a good American university.

He loves America and want to live there but since Trump became president, he changed his mind and moved to Great Britain. He works and study there.

To be honest, I was relieved since Trump really scares me.

Maybe later when he will out the WH. But I'm not sure.

My son enjoys his life in GB. He still thinks to move oversea but he is more attracted by Canada now.

This is how a stupid president lose educated people who could brought a real value to the country.

I'm not only talking about my son. I suppose many students or young graduates had the same attitude.

[n2doc]

5. The GOP leaders have convinced their base that Higher education is evil

If I were a talented undergrad, I would definitely prefer going to a place outside of the USA for my graduate work these days. And probably stay there and be a productive member of their society.