While I agree with Dana Schack that the tuition hike is hitting everybody, I am stunned by the ignorance she expressed in her letter.

International students are paying more than out-of-state students (http: //www. iastate. edu/ ~adm_info/ homepage.html). An international undergraduate student pays $19,294 per year at ISU, and an out-of-state undergraduate student pays $13,074 per year.

Travel expenses are much higher than driving from Iowa to Minnesota.

Normally, an international student can not count on financial aid from the university.

Ms. Schack complained: “If you need money so badly, GET A JOB!”

The truth is that international students are prohibited from working while they are full time students or they are only allowed to work limited hours.

International students are a crucial part of ISU, and they contribute to this campus financially and culturally. ISU cannot afford to lose international students.

Even if international students go home right after they graduate, ISU and the U.S. economy will continue to benefit from their contributions.

Ms. Schack, you have all my respect for working through college.

However, I hope you can make an international friend while you still can find one on campus, try to look at the bigger picture, and learn some hard facts before you ask other people to quit bitching.

Anthony An

Alumnus

Cary, N.C.