The number of Vietnamese students in the U.S. in the 2012-2013 academic year increased by 3.4% year-on-year to 16,098, according to a report released by the U.S. International Institute of Education (IIE) on Nov 11. Of the total, 70% of students are pursuing bachelor degrees. The total number puts Vietnam at 8th spot, unchanged from last year, among the countries having the largest numbers of students in the U.S. “The U.S. remains a top international destination for Vietnamese students because of the quality, prestige and available educational opportunities,” said Public Affairs Officer Christopher Hodges. According to the report, the number of international students at U.S. colleges and universities rose by 7% to a record high of 819,644 students in the 2012-2013 academic year and jumped by 40% from that in a decade ago. International students accounted for 4% of the total 21-million student enrollment at graduate and undergraduate levels, according to the report. Students come mostly from China, India and South Korea; three of the top countries of students’ origin now represent 49% of the total number of international students in the U.S., with the number from China increasing by 21% to 235,000 in the 2012-2013 school year from the previous school year. International students contributed more than $24 billion to the U.S. economy, the report said. (Nhan Dan – The People Nov 12, Quan Doi Nhan Dan – People’s Army Nov 12)
