International Students Need Jobs in the U.S.

Nowadays, many students prefer to study abroad in the United States in order to take classes in their academic major, learn English from native speakers, and get some valuable experience. It is very helpful for their future. In addition, studying abroad identifies them as informed, confident, self-sufficient, and able to learn quickly and adapt to changing conditions. That is why so many students study abroad even though it requires huge amounts of money for their living and education. I am currently attending Triton College as an international student. I hope to get a job in the web and graphic design industry in the United States as my career. However, I could not get a job because the law says that it is illegal to work in the USA for international student. I believe that students visiting the United States on student visa should be allowed to obtain a job related to their major. I strongly believe that some students need to make some money for living during their period of study abroad due to extremely expensive tuition. This is because it is really hard to get a loan or financial aids for their tuition. They have to pay with their own money, which is very hard for middle class people.
There are some disadvantages for international students, especially who are in the computer design field. This is because an art school’s tuition is extremely expensive, sometimes surpassing $ 40,000. Even though they have to spend huge amount of money for their education, it is really hard to get loans, financial aid, and employment in the United States. There are some scholarships for international students which are able to help financially, but these are not enough to pay their tuition. So many international students are working under the table, which is illegal. That is why so many problems occur in the United States such as unauthorized employment. According to the Open CRS, “The unauthorized alien working population, like the unauthorized alien population generally, has been growing steadily.”
In addition, International students in the art field usually spend money approximately $3000 to $4000 for a month which includes school tuition and living. I am sure that most international students are supported for their tuition by their family. It shows that study abroad is only for high class people, which is unfair.
International students should be allowed to work in the United States. They should be given at least a part- time job which is related to their major. It would be very helpful because it will help them to develop their skills, provide experience, and help financially. Fortunately, in the United States, there is a program for international students, which is called “Optional Practical Training.” According to the U.S Department of State, “Students are eligible for up to twelve months of optional practical training following completion of all course requirements for graduation, or after completion of all requirements. OPT is separate from a student’s academic work, and time for OPT will not normally be reflected during the student’s academic program or in the completed study date.” However, OPT is limited twenty hours per a week only for 12 months. This is definitely not enough to make an experience or develop their skills.
Recently, international students were allowed to work only on their campus. I think that the policy for international students should to be changed. Many of them want to study and receive an experience in the United of States. The United of States government should give them more opportunities. Compared to the population of international students, the jobs available in the school are insufficient. For instance, International students in Japan are given limited times to work while they study in Japan. For example, my girlfriend used to live in Japan for study. She graduated from a pastry school in Tokyo. At that time, she could have a part- time job legally as long as she lived in Japan. She could not only help her family financially, but also she could have four years working experience in Japan, which was very helpful for her career. In Japan, international students are given opportunities to make money for their finance or have experience for their career. They can work four hours per a day anywhere in Japan during their semesters, also they can work eight hours per a day when they are on vacation. According to the University of Tokyo, “you are required to apply for a permit to engage in activities other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted through your graduate school or faculty office. A permit will be issued in 2 to 3 weeks, provided your application passes the Immigration Bureau’s review.” The maximum time you can work is 28 hours per week. Even though international students in Japan have to get a permission to be able to work, they have a chance to work during study abroad. In the United States, however, international students are not given any permission for work during their school years.
International Students who are in the art field need to have more working experience in the web and graphic design industry. They can usually have about three months of internship while they attend school, which is not enough to gain experience. Education is important, but working experience is also very crucial. It can help students to get a better job or able to have experience that they cannot have in their countries. Furthermore, international students have to go back to their countries when they graduate. It will be very hard to come back to the United States in order to have working experience in the design company. It is almost impossible to get a working visa of the United States unless I have an American company that supports me.
In conclusion, the policy of international students in the United States has to be changed for people who really want to study their academic major or specific fields in the United States. Many international students do not even get a chance to work in the United States before returning to their home country. Many can not even finish their schooling due to insufficient funds. The experience of working in their major field is extremely important. If the United of States government tries to provide a good environment for international students, they will be better able to show their abilities and have a better dream for their future. Obviously, percentages of international students are increasing more and more in the United States today. I hope to one day see these changes happen in the United States.







Work Cited

“International student working.” Claremont Graduate University 16 September, 2008
http://www.cgu.edu/pages/405.asp

“Unauthorized Employment in the United States.” Opencrs 20 April, 2007. 16 September, 2008
http://opencrs.cdt.org/document/RL33973

“International students access to the U.S and policy implications.” The AIP Bulletin of science policy news 18 August, 2004. 16 September, 2008
http://www.aip.org/fyi/2004/111.html

“Standard operating procedures 58: optional practical.” U.S Department of State 04 January, 2008. 16 September, 2008
http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_1444.html

“For international student.” The University of Tokyo Question 5 16 September, 2008
http://www.U-Tokyo.ac.jp/reso3/i17_e.html




Outline
I. Introduction
A. About studying abroad
B. Purposes
II. Disadvantages of international students
A. Loan and financial aids
Examples of international students’ disadvantages
Devices
B. Identify problems
III. Money
A. Average expenses for international students’ living
Examples
B. Personal experience
IV. International students in the art field should be allowed to work in the U.S.
A. What is the OPT?
B. A period of OPT should be extended.
V. What if international students are given opportunities to work in the United States during their school years?
A. Compare with other country
B. Examples
VII. More experience
A. experience’s importance in art field
B. Problems
VIII. Conclusion
A. Solutions
B. Expectation