Asian crisis still affects students

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Iqbal, an economics junior from Indonesia, is one of many international students still reeling from the Asian financial crisis, which began in late 1997.

His country's currency has fallen 400 percent, Iqbal said, and he isn't sure if he'll be back for his senior year.

"Luckily, my parents still have some amount of (American) money," Iqbal said. "But if the situation worsens, there is nothing to do but go back home."

Although students from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines - the five countries most affected by the crisis - are facing economic difficulty, it hasn't significantly affected University of Arizona enrollment, said David Currey, director of global student programs.

"We did not have a huge decline in Asian student enrollment (this year) as was expected," Currey said. "Both the UA graduate and undergraduate admission staff deserve a great deal of credit for these enrollment results during a very unpredictable year."

This year, enrollment for students from all Asian countries increased by 5 percent.

The UA saw a decrease of three Thai students and 15 Malaysian students since fall 1997, and an increase of 11 Indonesians, eight South Koreans and two Filipinos.

Currey said he would prefer not to speculate on the number of students who have gone home as a result of financial difficulty.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service relaxed certain requirements previously imposed on international students. The new rules allow international undergraduate students to take six credits per semester and work full-time with permission from the university through the Asian Special Student Relief program. Graduate students are allowed to take only three credits.

Currey said the number of students who have taken advantage of the program was not as high as expected, and the office has processed about 30 applications so far.

Iqbal, who works at the UA Main Library, is planning to take advantage of the program by working a full-time job at a local resort. He said he is worried, however, that his international status may affect his ability to get hired.

"It is hard enough for (U.S.) natives to find a job," Iqbal said. "It is even harder for us to find a job."

Iqbal, who said he knows at least six people who have returned to their respective countries in the past six months as a result of the crisis, is concerned about his family back home.

"There's political uncertainty and turmoil in Indonesia," he said. "It has really affected my concentration at school."

In addition to supporting the new INS program, Currey said the UA is actively supporting international students on a case-by-case basis.

"The graduate college was extremely responsive to the needs of several students who lost all funding," Cur-rey said. "I regret that we couldn't do more, but I also understand that the UA has its own set of limitations."

Currey said the office of global student programs nominated nine students for special grant programs, and five have been awarded a total of $20,000 in relief funds.

"I'd like to see an emergency scholarship fund esta-blished by the UA that would be designated to assist international students in times of crisis," Currey said.

Such a program would be helpful to Iqbal. Although he plans to utilize the INS program, he is still concerned.

"I think, 'How can I pay my tuition?'" Iqbal said. "It has affected not only our finances, but our concentration. I worry about my future."

Erin Mahoney can be reached via e-mail at Erin.Mahoney@wildcat.arizona.edu.