Students urged not go to brokers for visa assistance
The number of students from Bangladesh in the United States has marked a rise by 15.5 percent to 3,828 in 2012-13, says the 2013 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, reports UNB.
Overall, the number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by seven percent to a record high of 819,644 students in the 2012-13 academic year, while the number of US students studying abroad increased by three percent, to an all-time high of more than 283,000, says the report released this week.
In Bangladesh, EducationUSA advising services and reference materials are available at locations across the country, including the American Center at US Embassy Dhaka, located in Baridhara, and the Edward M. Kennedy Center for Public Service and the Arts located in Dhanmondi, where trained advisors lead group information sessions and provide individual counseling to students and parents.
EducationUSA reference libraries and remote advising are accessible at American Corners in Chittagong, Sylhet, and Khulna, and will soon be available in Rajshahi.
According to the report, 2012-13 is the seventh consecutive year that the total number of international students in US higher education increased. There are now 40 percent more international students studying at US colleges and universities than a decade ago.
Assistant Secretary of State Evan M Ryan noted, “International students enrich classrooms, campuses and communities in ways that endure long after students return to their home countries. We encourage US schools to continue to welcome more international students to their campuses and to do more to make study abroad a reality for all of their students.”
The US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchange sponsors the EducationUSA network of over 400 advising centers worldwide, which provides current, comprehensive, and accurate information about study in the United States to students around the globe.
Meanwhile, Consul General of the US Embassy in Dhaka Jamie Fouss on Thursday suggested Bangladeshi students interested to study in the United Sates not to go to brokers for assistance and refrain from submitting false statements saying it may permanently damage a student’s opportunity to study there.
“I want to leave you with this strong message for both visitors and student visa applicants. No one should ever pay a broker for a guaranteed visa. These brokers can’t deliver,” he told reporters at a press conference at the American Centre.
Fouss said false stories and fake documents often end up with a refusal and a permanent mark against the applicant.
He highly suggested anyone interested in studying in the US to go to EducationUSA instead of going to brokers for assistance.
“The US likes having foreign students in their schools. This is good for Americans for a number of reasons…America benefits in so many ways. Visitors are good for US-Bangladesh cultural ties and they’re good for the US economy.”
Press and Information Office of the US Embassy, Kelly McCarthy who was also present at the press conference said, “It’s a win-win situation. The US institutions win, American students win and Bangladesh also wins when students return to Bangladesh.”
Consul General Fouss said the number of visa has increased significantly. “Comparing this year with last, non-immigrant visa applicants and the number of visas we issued has doubled.”
He mentioned that they issued more than 25,000 visitor visas and more than 2,200 student visas in the past year. “We’re aware that there are many unscrupulous agents and brokers selling false information. They promise they can help people get a US visa and they charge them a lot of money,” the official said.
Fouss also said these individuals may do more harm than good with their schemes and may permanently damage opportunity to qualify for a visa in the future. “EducationUSA is the very best source for current, comprehensive, and accurate information and they will give you free and useful advice.”
He also said honest answers sound credible and make it easier for an officer to find a student qualified.
The official, however, said while genuine and honest answers do not guarantee a visa, they cost nothing and will help ensure a fair and objective interview in accordance with the law.
Fouss also suggested applicants not to submit false bank statements as they verify things calling bank to the bank concerned.
Courtesy of unbconnect.com
