Vietnamese Students a Growing Market for U.S. Colleges

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Sept. 29 – Vietnamese students are emerging as one of the top international markets for U.S. community colleges.

They are the fastest-growing sector of students in U.S. colleges and universities, increasing by a staggering 45 percent to 8,769 during the 2007-2008 school year, according to the United Press International.

The jump in Vietnamese enrollment in U.S. colleges is huge considering that the worldwide average increase is only 7 percent. A majority of U.S. student visas or 85 percent are issued in Ho Chi Minh City. Among applicants, about 5,000 students will opt for going to two-year community colleges because admission rules are less stringent.

Two-year colleges do not require admission test scores and are not strict with English language requirements. Vietnamese students will usually opt to take two-year college course before shifting to a four-year liberal arts college or bachelor’s degree.

As of 2007-2008, foreigners studying in the  United States contributed more than US$15.54 billion to the U.S. economy.