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[prof_mom]

I agree with th sentiment that international students make valuable contributions to a program. It is great for everyone to be exposed to people from other places. We always admit a few international students.

We cannot admit many because they MUST be able to speak English to teach. To verify this, we have to give them the University's phone speak test. This costs money. Our department is only allowed 5-10 tests per year. If some fail (usually at least a few do), we will only admit 2-4 international students.

Domestic students just do not carry that risk. They carry other risks, but not that one.

We have had international students arrive in the US and be so homesick that they could not function and have to return home. This has happened only twice in 5 years.

I will also say that we have had some fantastic international students. I can tell you that we have had students from South America, Korea, China, Indonesia, Greece, Russia who have done very well. They contributed to the program in wonderful ways and helped the rest of us understand more about their world. Our program has benefited from their time with us. They continue to succeed long after the completion of their programs and a few are on the tt at good schools, others at teaching schools and many have gone to work in industry. I am sure there are others that I am not thinking of right now.