HOUSTON – International students contribute more than $55 billion to the U.S. economy every year, but fewer are coming to study in American universities.
A new Reuters report shows a sharp decline in new international student enrollment nationwide, with visa delays, policy changes, and increased scrutiny playing a major role.
But at Rice University, the trend looks different.
“It’s a great experience,” Leonard Richertz said.
Leonard Richertz is one of the many international students who make up nearly 40% of Rice University’s graduate population.
Originally from Germany, he arrived in Houston in August to pursue a master’s degree in computer science a move he describes as a dream opportunity.
“So far, I loved it. Everybody’s been so welcoming,” Leonard said. “We have a big international community here at Rice, so it’s been very easy to make friends and new connections,” Richertz told KPRC 2 News reporter Re’Chelle Turner.
Leonard earned a scholarship at Rice. He even joined a soccer team and quickly found community on campus. But getting to the U.S. wasn’t simple.
He told KPRC 2 he struggled to secure a visa appointment after embassy closures and delays overseas.
“It took like two months in order to get new appointments,” he said. Despite the stress, he made it to Houston just in time for the semester to begin.
When asked about his long-term goals, Leonard said he hopes to work in the tech industry.
“Right now I’m set on getting a job and going into industry,” he said. “I’ve worked in software development before, so I’m trying to get back into that.”
Like many international students, his plans depend heavily on his visa timeline. He’s currently focused on securing a summer internship, which is required for his degree.
While many universities are seeing steep declines in new international enrollment including a 17% drop nationwide this fall, Rice University reported only a slight decrease.
School leaders say Houston’s strength as a global city is a major factor.
Seiichi Matsuda, Dean of Graduate Studies at Rice, says the city’s culture and opportunities help keep international numbers strong, even as other campuses struggle.
“Houston is a great place for dreamers,” Matsuda said. “There’s always been more opportunity in Houston than there have been people. Lots of businesses, lots of culture and I think that’s a reason our numbers haven’t dropped. Houston is a great destination.”
Matsuda added that Rice did not see major visa issues this year, crediting the university’s Office of International Students and Scholars for staying ahead of application deadlines. His advice for anyone planning to study in the U.S. is to start early.
Despite the challenges, Leonard says coming to Houston was worth it. He’s thriving on campus, building connections, and preparing for the next step in his academic and professional journey.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “And I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.”