Press Room
Letter to CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight
21 October 2003
Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs Tonight
Cable News Network
Mr. Dobbs,
A segment of your October 17 program, reported by correspondent Kitty Pilgrim, posits an effect that is not demonstrated to exist – a purported "global brain drain on American resources" – and then creates a connection, which likewise does not exist, to a cause: "the enormous influx in foreign students" in math and science. I am aware of no evidence – zero – that educating foreign scientists in U.S. universities drains resources from the United States or negatively affects the propensity of Americans to study science.
However, there is considerable evidence to the contrary. Without the enrollment of foreign students, many science courses would not be economically viable, and thus would be unavailable to American students as well. Foreign-student teaching assistants are also essential to undergraduate science education in this country. It may well be that Americans should be encouraged to study math and science in greater numbers.
If we want that, then presumably we also want to preserve healthy programs in which they can enroll. Foreign students are integral to such programs. The United States derives great benefit from educating the world's scientists. The connection between foreign students and some purported brain drain is spurious.
Victor C. Johnson
Associate Executive Director, Public Policy
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs Tonight
Cable News Network
Mr. Dobbs,
A segment of your October 17 program, reported by correspondent Kitty Pilgrim, posits an effect that is not demonstrated to exist – a purported "global brain drain on American resources" – and then creates a connection, which likewise does not exist, to a cause: "the enormous influx in foreign students" in math and science. I am aware of no evidence – zero – that educating foreign scientists in U.S. universities drains resources from the United States or negatively affects the propensity of Americans to study science.
However, there is considerable evidence to the contrary. Without the enrollment of foreign students, many science courses would not be economically viable, and thus would be unavailable to American students as well. Foreign-student teaching assistants are also essential to undergraduate science education in this country. It may well be that Americans should be encouraged to study math and science in greater numbers.
If we want that, then presumably we also want to preserve healthy programs in which they can enroll. Foreign students are integral to such programs. The United States derives great benefit from educating the world's scientists. The connection between foreign students and some purported brain drain is spurious.
Victor C. Johnson
Associate Executive Director, Public Policy
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
