Page 10 - StudyTravel Magazine August 2019 Issue

NEWS STUDYTRAVEL MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019

FURTHER LOSSES FOR US INTENSIVE
ENGLISH PROGRAMS
Intensive English Programs (IEPs) in the
USA experienced a 10 per cent decrease in
international students in 2018, building on larger with just 12 per cent last year, demonstrating the
losses in the previous two years, according to impact of scholarship cutbacks.
the latest sector data released by the Institute of In a presentation alongside IIE at the NAFSA
International Education (IIE) www.iie.org. conference, EnglishUSA said that it was hearing
IIE said that there were 78,098 students of longer waiting times for student visas,
at IEPs in the USA in 2018, based on a survey increased competition from other destinations,
of 400 institutions, a 41 per cent decrease negative perceptions of the USA, and more
compared with the 133,335 students recorded mergers, acquisitions and closures, but said that
three years earlier. the sector was actively responding.
Cheryl Delk-Le Good, Executive Director Cheryl said, “We are hopeful that with
of EnglishUSA www.englishusa.org, told some of the program closures and reshuffl ing
StudyTravel Magazine, “Some of our members of students that this is a bottoming out of the
were actually relieved to see that the decreases market. We are also hopeful that prospective
were not more drastic, although, of course, these students are more aware of the increased
are cumulative.” options available here in the USA.”
Student weeks, meanwhile, decreased by Latin America was the one growth region for
13.7 per cent to 1,057,650 in 2018, based on a IEPs with an eight per cent increase in students
slightly shorter average stay of 13.5 weeks in last year, including a nine per cent jump from
2018, compared with 14.1 in the previous year. Brazil to 6,154 students, and 11 per cent growth
China remained the largest source country from Mexico – although it should be noted the
for IEPs with 17,700 students, despite a 10.4 per latter represents only a slight recovery from a 51
cent decrease from 2017. per cent decrease in 2017.
Second-placed Japan recorded a slight The IIE Open Doors data on IEPs refers to
decrease to 12,305 and there was a 12.6 per international students on F-1 student visas and
cent drop from Saudi Arabia to 9,661 students. enrolled on intensive courses, and as such does
Brazil and Korea completed the top fi ve. not capture some short-term or junior students
In 2013, Saudi Arabia accounted for 30 per that may enter the USA on a travel visa. More:
cent of international students at IEPs, compared bit.ly/31ySZes

7