An Open-Door Policy? African Students at US Colleges and Universities Author, Kyla Denwood
Abstract Many U.S. colleges and universities take pride in their diverse international student populations. The United States proves to be a top destination for young scholars, with nearly one million foreign-born students enrolled during the 2020-2021 academic year.1 In today’s interconnected world, international students provide economic and social benefits to their universities and host countries. The students bring diverse perspectives into the classroom, provide cross-cultural experiences for American students, and contribute to the revenue of U.S. businesses. In 2019, international students in the United States contributed $41 billion to the national economy and supported more than 450,000 jobs, according to the NAFSA Association of International Educators.2 Once their education is complete, many international students return to their home countries as unofficial cultural diplomats, sharing their international experiences and deconstructing stereotypes about their host country. While the United States boasts a diverse international student population hailing from over 200 countries, the enrollment of students from sub-Saharan Africa remains minimal. In 2020, African students made up 3.9 percent of all foreign students at U.S. colleges and universities.1 The low engagement of African students at U.S. colleges does not bode well for the future of U.S. engagement on the continent, going against the Biden administration’s hopes. In his U.S.-Africa policy, President Biden expresses a commitment to Africa, aiming to advance peace and security; promote economic growth, trade and investment; and support democratic institutions on the continent.3 African countries have growing youthful and tech-savvy populations that are positioned to generate economic wealth and electoral accountability throughout the continent. To support Biden’s U.S.-Africa policy and improve U.S.-Africa relations for joint economic prosperity, the United States Department of Education and the Department of State should fund more recruitment efforts for international students from Africa. Background Africa is the fastest growing region on the planet. By 2030, one of every four people aged 15 to 24 will live in Africa, according to the United Nations.4 The expanding population will cause an increase in demand for goods and services, and African countries are already working to produce enabling environments for trade. Opened in 2021, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) has become the world’s largest free trade area, encompassing 55 African countries and 1.2 billion people. Additionally, rapid urbanization and digitalization has catalyzed
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