Three state university presidents have expressed concern about the number of international students on their campuses.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy discussed the issue of wanting international student enrollment with presidents Robert Koob of the University of Northern Iowa and David Skorton of the University of Iowa during the Talk of Iowa radio program Aug. 23. Skorton said Iowa’s international student population has decreased in recent years and would like the state universities to see more applications from other countries.

“Applications are down since 9/11 due to tighter security,” Skorton said. “Higher education is concerned about finding the right mix of security and access.”

In 2004, international students made up 8.7 percent of the ISU student body, down nearly 1 percent since 2000. Though the international student population is significant, it is not as big as it was before Sept. 11, said Geoffroy.

Skorton said recruiters from Iowa recently went to Southeast Asia to “toot horns” on behalf of all three state universities. Though Iowa State draws from every continent except Antarctica and nearly every country, most international students come from the Pacific Rim, India and the Middle East, said Terry Mason, interim director for international students and scholars.

Olamide Shadiya, president of the International Student Council, said Iowa State does a good job accommodating international students, but Ames is not particularly attractive because it lacks diversity.

“Most students would rather go to more diverse places, like Chicago or Maryland,” said Shadiya, senior in chemical engineering.

Deborah Vance, program coordinator for international students and scholars, said one of the biggest recruiting tools for international students is word of mouth.

“We found that most students knew someone else who came here,” she said. “They’re doing the recruiting for us, and this leads to a steady flow of international students.”

Graduate students make up a much larger portion of the international student community than undergraduates, probably because they are more financially stable, Mason said.

International students are not eligible for federal student aid, so most undergraduates are not financially able to attend Iowa State at full price. Shadiya said tuition for undergraduates is almost $16,000 a year, but students can expect to spend about $25,000 per year when living expenses and books are considered.

Graduate students can curb the cost by serving as graduate assistants, Mason said. Graduate assistants earn a tuition reduction and salary of between $11,000 and $12,000 per year.

Shadiya said she is financing her education with scholarships from companies. The ISC also provides scholarships with money raised from events like the International Food Fair, she said.

Sungmin Kim, freshman in pre-computer science, said activities have helped him make the transition from South Korea during his first two weeks.

He has met new friends by participating in Destination Iowa State and events sponsored by the ISC, like the Welcome Picnic that took place Saturday.

Vance said she thinks it is important not only for international students to get acclimated to American culture, but for ISU students to learn about world cultures.

She said Iowa State would like to see as many international students as possible.

“The people who thrive the most are those exposed to other cultures,” she said. “What better than to bring those cultures to us?”