Origins and Destinations of Foreign Students in the U.S.

This month, the Brookings Institution released a new report, "The Geography of Foreign Students in U.S. Education: Origins and Destinations." 

Foreign students can study in the U.S. under the F-1 visa. Once a student completes her education, she can attempt to extend her time in the U.S. by applying for work authorization through Optional Practical Training or a change of status, for example to the J visa for interns and trainees or the H-1B visa for temporary employees.


The Brookings report analyzes data from 2001 to 2012 regarding foreign students. 

Here are some of the highlights:
-Most foreign students came from emerging markets in large, fast-growing cities in their home countries
-Most foreign students attended school in metropolitan areas here in the U.S.
-In year 2001, there were 110,000 foreign students in the U.S., and in year 2012, that number rose dramatically to 540,000
-Most foreign students studied business or one or more of the STEM fields, which include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
-45% of foreign students extended their stay in the U.S. after their education was completed 

You can read the full report here: 

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2014/08/foreign%20students/foreign_students_final.pdf