The number of UAE students studying at colleges throughout the United States returned to normal following the September 11 attacks on U.S. cities, according to a visiting expert.
Gulf News reports that most of the students who returned home out of fear of an anti-Arab backlash in the U.S. have gone back to renew their studies for the new semester, which began last month, according to Max Visconti, an official of International Student Network Inc. Visconti places students throughout different U.S. colleges.
"The number of students basically remained the same. The paranoia following the September 11 events in New York was a short-lived one," he pointed out. "And most of those who went home because of initial fears of a backlash have come back for the new semester."
The same applied to students from other GCC countries, he mentioned.
Visconti stated that there is an estimated 15,000 students from GCC countries currently pursuing higher studies in the U.S., of which 3,000 are from the UAE.
He is the organizer of an event at which students, their parents and school officials in the UAE will have the unique opportunity to meet admission officials from 15 various American institutions of higher learning next week.
The team, part of the American Education Expo 2002, will hold an exhibition on February 10 at the Abu Dhabi Hilton Hotel, from 4 to 9 p.m. The same group is scheduled to hold another exhibition at the Sheraton Dubai Hotel and Towers, Deira, the following day, also from 4 to 9 p.m.
"This is a rare opportunity for students here in the Gulf interested in getting a university or language program in the U.S. to meet face to face with admission officials," explained Visconti.
"Questions regarding degree programs, scholarships, tuition fees, student life and accommodation will be answered there on a personalized basis."
"Potential students in search of degree program; undergraduate, graduate, Ph.D., and English Language Program (ELP), will find the Expo very helpful."
The 15 universities participating in the American Education Expo 2002 are St. Louis University, Southwestern Academy (Boarding School), University of Buffalo (State University of New York), University of Dayton, University of Missouri (St. Louis), Skagit Valley College, Wayne State University, American University in Bulgaria, California State University (LA-ACLP), Ferris State University, Florida Institute of Technology, Foothill & De Anza College, Indiana University Purdue University in Indianapolis and New Jersey Institute of Technology in France.
The Expo is scheduled to bring the group to other countries in the Gulf later this month. (Albawaba.com)
