Higher Edge: Institutions: Publications: Not-So-Foreign©, Volume 8, Issue 2

Not-So-Foreign^©
A Bulletin for International Education Professionals
Volume 8, Issue 2; January 28, 2009

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Lower costs lure American students north
2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - TOEFL fraud in Hyderabad
3) OVER THE COUNTER - Korean international education spending drops 51%
4) GLOBE TIPPING – Portable power

1) THE PLAYING FIELD – Lower costs lure American students north

The declining Canadian dollar may be bad news to some, but it's great for American students planning to study north of the border.

American students have long chosen Canadian schools for their calibre and setting, even when the Canadian and American dollars were at par. Now with the economic downturn, the lower price tag has once again become a lure.

According to Emily Kennedy, a recruitment officer with Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it's still early to tell if the economic situation will translate into an increase in applications from American students. She did note, though, a definite increase in interest, especially among New England students and families with dual citizenship.

“I think we are only seeing the beginning of what could be a very high increase in the numbers of Americans coming to Canada for education.”

Canadian higher education options are also being lauded in popular publications. A great explanation as to why American students should consider Canada can be found here at Kansascity.com.

Source: “Canada: passport to higher ed, lower cost,” The Boston Globe, 25 December 2008.

2) ABROAD PERSPECTIVE - TOEFL fraud in Hyderabad

Some Indians wishing to study in the US are hiring peers with proficient English skills to take their TOEFL tests.

In Hyderabad, proxy candidates charge INR 25,000 or more to act as an impersonator and guarantee a score of at least 100.

TOEFL testing centres require that candidates have their photos taken before being tested to verify that the student presenting is the student who has applied. Proxy candidates and employees at testing centres are working in collusion to bypass security measures.

This isn't the first time TOEFL fraud has appeared in the news. The LA Times published a long piece on cheating and TOEFL in 1999. In May 2002, 61 US international students were arrested on charges of TOEFL fraud and threatened with deportation.

Genuine Indian students worry that TOEFL fraud will hamper their chances of being admitted to US schools.

Source: “Impersonators available for TOEFL,” The Hindu, 7 January 2008.

3) OVER THE COUNTER - Korean international education spending drops 51%

For the past few years an increasing number of South Korean students have left the country seeking higher quality education overseas. Many of them have extended their study periods and have brought over accompanying family members, leaving fathers behind to foot the bill.

But in November 2008 South Koreans spent $168 million on overseas education, down 51% from the $343 million spent in the previous November. This marks the steepest drop since the Asian financial crisis of 1997/98.

The drop is due to global financial turmoil and a depreciated Korean won. The won plunged 25.7% to the dollar last year alone, becoming one of the world's worst-performing currencies.

Students in the education-obsessed country are reluctant to completely abandon their plans, though, citing a fear of falling behind. Many have cancelled studies abroad for the year, hoping an increase in the won will allow them to travel in the future.

Source: “Koreans' Spending on Overseas Study, Travel Tumble,” The Korea Times, 5 January 2009.

“Overseas spending drops most,” The Korea Times, 5 January 2009.

“Global Financial Crisis Upends the Plans of Many South Koreans to Study Abroad,” New York Times, 9 January 2009.

4) GLOBE TIPPING - Portable power

Carrying cords for every powered device in your carry-on can be cumbersome. Ecosol has developed a charging tool that connects your mobile devices to your laptop, allowing you to power up while on the road.

The Powerstick is roughly the size of a stick of Wrigley's and comes with nine adapters. It charges your mobile from your usb port and stores an extra charge in its battery that can be used when you don't have access to your laptop.

The battery only retains 750 mAh worth of power, which means it might not be able to completely charge your larger mobile devices. However, it's the perfect tool for charging up in emergencies or while you're on the road.

For more info, visit www.powerstick.com.