Speeches
Op Ed on Study in the USA by U.S. Consul General Sharon Anderholm Wiener - Hürriyet Newspaper, December 23, 2007
Large numbers of Turkish students have traditionally studied abroad. For many years, thousands of this country’s young people have chosen to study in the United States. Despite competition from other countries, interest in studying in the USA remains high. According to the Institute of International Education, nearly 12,000 Turkish citizens were enrolled in U.S. universities in academic year 2005-2006, more than from any other European country, placing Turkey in 8th place globally. Inquiries to academic advisors about study in the United States are up, and I want strongly to urge all those young people who think they could benefit from an American education to act on that interest now.
Home to many of the world's best educational institutions, the United States is ready – indeed anxious -- to accept qualified students from abroad. Nearly 600,000 students and professors from virtually every country in the world participate in the adventure that is American higher education. This diversity is a key strength of our system and enriches the academic environment for everyone involved.
The American university of the 21st century is a magnet for those who want to excel, to learn the latest techniques and work with the newest technology, to match wits at work and play with people who think differently and who have different approaches and solutions. This flexibility of our system is another key attribute of learning in America. Students are not channeled into a narrow field that affords no relief from their major, as happens in some countries. Interdisciplinary work is integral to education in the United States. A student of physics gains new perspective in the music department, and a medical student's look at poetry aids in understanding the human condition. Students graduate with a breadth of view that helps them be innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs and guides for the future.
Although the high cost of a U.S. higher education may seem discouraging at first, there are ways of getting around this hurdle. Costs at our universities vary tremendously. Tuition, fees and living expenses can range from $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the institution and the location, and prospective students can aim at institutions that meet their budget. Many of the more expensive private institutions offer financial aid for international students based on merit or need. Financial aid opportunities increase further at the graduate level, where students can apply for teaching, research or administrative assistantships as well.
To find out how to apply for university entry and for financial assistance, our educational advising service at the Turkish Fulbright Commission is a good place to start: www.fulbright.org.tr.
Some think it is difficult to obtain a U.S. visa and doubt they could get one even after admission to an American university. While visas are an issue, the true picture is more complex – and much less discouraging – than many expect. In 2007, we have issued more than 17,000 visas for Turkish students to study and participate in academic exchange programs in the U.S. Our consular sections in Istanbul and Ankara give priority appointments to these visa applicants. In the overwhelming majority of cases, applicants learn the decision about whether they will get the visa at the conclusion of their interview with the consular officer, and have the visa in their hands in about three days. While not all applicants are able to qualify for a student visa, an impressive 85 percent do.
The United States recognizes that to remain competitive it must do what is necessary to attract the best and the brightest. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the United States was an obvious challenge to our security by individuals who had abused our visa and border controls. To protect our security and keep America open to the rest of the world, we have invested in technology and staff to improve and speed up our visa processing. These improvements have ensured that long waits for visas are mostly a thing of the past. In 98% of cases, students receive their visas within two or three days of their visa interview, and in Turkey the waiting time for an interview seldom exceeds a few weeks. Our new Student and Exchange Visitor Information System helps ensure that visas go to legitimate students on time. And each year the Embassy makes a special effort to ensure all students are interviewed in time to make their first day of school. This year will be no exception.
We have not changed the criteria for issuing visas to visit or study in the United States. Electronic finger scanning makes it easier to verify that legitimate students and travelers qualify for entry into the United States, speeding up the process.
The United States places an impressive array of educational services and security at the disposal of Turkish students. I encourage citizens of this country to look at the advantage of studying in the United States and consider applying.