by Daniel Drezner

A periodic lament among institutions of higher learning since the September 11th attacks has been that the homeland security measures made it too difficult for foreign students to study in the United States. This is bad for two reasons: a) in some areas of study, like science and engineering, foreign students provide an important source of skilled labor, and b) Sayyid Qutb notwithstanding, one of the best ways the United States can improve its image abroad is to encourage more foreigners to spend a year or two in America. It is therefore heartening to see that, according to the Council on Graduate Schools, there has been a recovery in international students attending U.S. graduate schools: "First-time enrollment increased by 4% in 2005, the first increase in four years." The full report can be accessed here.