This piece originally appeared in the National Interest.
In 2025, it’s reasonable to be skeptical that American colleges and universities are an effective venue for educating foreign students about American values and governance.
President Trump’s recent executive order on combating antisemitism directed federal agencies to increase oversight of foreign students on college campuses. The move is likely the first in a series of reforms to the student visa program and higher education. At a time of widespread distrust of American colleges and universities, the new administration and Congress should enact broader reforms to restore the original purpose of foreign exchange: promoting American ideals and values to people around the world.
In the twenty-first century, the primary benefit of foreign student and academic exchange programs for the United States and the higher education sector is economic. More than 1.1 million international students were studying in the United States during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Institute of International Education. These students comprise 6 percent of the higher education student population and contribute an estimated $50 billion to the U.S. economy.
