Well over half a million students from around the world choose to get their qualifications in the US. But these days many decide that life after college will be better back home.
The best and brightest of the overseas students have always stayed, knowing that this is where dreams have a chance.
However, with an economic crisis in full force, it looks like times are changing.
Indira Shokparova is in the U.S. on a government scholarship from Kazakhstan. While she feels lucky to have studied at American University, she’s heading back to her native country.
She says: “I want to go home and live there, and help my country develop. It’s developing very fast now. They just need more people to help who have a good education."
Youn Youn Song – a student from China – also values her time in Washington DC. She studies International Relations at American University. While millions of her compatriots could think of no better place to pursue a career, she will go elsewhere to look for work.
"China is also severely affected by the economic recession, but still it’s a little better in China than it is here. My American classmates who graduated last year are still hunting for jobs,”she said.
These concerns echo for many college graduates, as unemployment rates continue to climb.