The number of international students enrolled in secondary education in the U.S. is continually growing.

Since October 2013, over 70,000 international students were reported to have been enrolled at a secondary school in the U.S., many of whom intend to acquire a U.S. diploma.

According to a recent study conducted by the Institute of International Education (IIE), majority of these students aim to increase their chances of getting accepted into American universities. The study indicated that Asians tend to pursue diplomas while European students focus more on joining short-term programs.

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Rajika Bhandari, IIE's Deputy Vice-President for Research and Evaluation, has turned his attention to students' differences in terms of goals.

According to Bhandari, Asian students are perceived to commit towards secondary education for academic reasons. By becoming academically competitive, they increase their chances of getting accepted in a reputable university, preferably in the U.S.

Asians are also likely to believe that a diploma from an American university will give them a better position in life.

In contrast, students from other countries can be expected to follow their cultural and social aspirations.

As stated by Amy Sack, private college counselor from Admissions Accomplished, students' educational goals will strongly depend on their national backgrounds.

For example, Chinese students are likely to enroll at an American school to improve their grasp of the English language.

Foreign students have been deemed as an ideal opportunity for colleges to enhance diversity. Many of the schools and communities that have accommodated such students often identify economic and cultural advantages.

Bhandari also pointed out that universities are unlikely to overlook their programs for overseas recruitment. She also stated that it remains a key priority for educational institutions to come up with comprehensive ways of getting international students.

Cultural exchange programs carried out for at most one year and focused on mutual understanding are still popular, especially among European students.

TagsInstitute of International Education, Rajika Bhandari, Admissions Accomplished, Amy Sack