Decline seen in Kuwaiti, Gulf students studying at US universities

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KUWAIT CITY, April 8: American universities are experiencing a noticeable decline in students from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, with decreases also seen among students from Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, reports Al-Qabas daily. Conversely, Middle Eastern student enrollment in other popular Western destinations like the UK and Australia remains relatively stable, with a growing interest observed in East and Southeast Asian countries for higher education, according to The National. Data from the Open Doors for International Education report reveals a significant drop in the number of Saudi and Qatari students studying in the United States during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Factors such as personal safety concerns, including the risk of gun violence, and high tuition fees have been cited as reasons for this shift away from American universities. Vinay Loungani, sales director for the Middle East and North Africa at Crimson Education, notes a decline in interest in the United States from the region due to safety, financial, and geographical reasons. Dr. Ryan Allen of Chapman University and Dr. Krishna Bista of Morgan State University suggest that an unwelcoming climate may deter Middle Eastern students from pursuing higher education in the US. Changes in scholarship systems and the availability of high-quality educational institutions in the Middle East have also influenced students’ decisions to study abroad.

For instance, the presence of institutions like New York University Abu Dhabi and American universities in Qatar has contributed to students opting to stay in their home countries. In contrast, the UK has seen an increase in Middle Eastern student numbers over the past decade, with universities capitalizing on higher tuition fees for international students. This trend has been facilitated by the cap on tuition fees for British students, making UK universities an attractive option for foreign students.

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