**Ashley’s last name is not included due to her illegal status working in the U.S.
Ashley was 18 when she met Ai Weiwei at his studio in Beijing with a group of her friends. Ai is famous for his artwork and outspoken criticism of the communist regime, something she and her friends admired. When they knocked on his studio door early in the afternoon, Ai invited them in for lunch. Over their meal, Ai spoke to her group and another man that had shown up claiming to be a fan as well, about the government. He confided in them about the subjects he had been tweeting about and informed them of his flight to Hong Kong the next day, something he hadn’t told anyone else. When she and her friends left, Ashley was so happy. She felt like she just met a celebrity.
The next day as Ai got ready to board his plane to Hong Kong, he was arrested for tax evasion but it is suspected that the real reason was his activism and political views. When Ashley got the news, she realized journalism was not a career to have in China.
“I couldn’t stay in China,” she said.
Ashley’s aunt had been an international student herself and now manages her own franchised company in New York and China. Her aunt is married to an American, whose sister studied at Ball State and informed her about Ball State’s journalism program.
The decision was made. Ashley, an international student from Beijing, China, would study journalism in Indiana, in a country that allowed her to have freedom of speech.
According to a study by the Institute of International Students (IIE), for the 2014/2015 school year, 854,639 international students were enrolled in U.S. schools. The recent study shows a steady increase of international students studying in the U.S. since 1979. More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate international students enroll at Ball State University each year.
Ashley’s family supported her from the start of her studies.
Wow, I’m in an American T.V. show, Ashley thought as she stepped off of her plane in Indiana. Then came the nerves. The uneasiness of walking through a terminal by herself in a foreign place where she knew no one. Ashley wasn’t scared, though.
This was her dream.
Executive Director of the Center for International Development Kenneth Holland says that international students play an important role in the U.S. economy. According to a study by the National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA), three U.S. jobs are created or supported by every seven international students enrolled in an American school.
“International students are known for getting degrees in American universities and then staying in the U.S.,” Kenneth said. “They have a very high rate of new venture start ups. They create employment by starting companies.”
According to Kenneth, more and more companies are searching for students with a global perspective, something Kenneth said international students have.
NAFSA’s study shows that international students and their families brought around $26.8 billion to the U.S. economy.
Kenneth says there are three main reasons that companies prefer international students.
To continue reading, visit ballbearingsmag.com
Read More
The 6 most memorable moments at the 2024 VMAs
By Sam Jasionowski / October 11, 2024Missed the VMAs? Don’t worry, we have you covered. We hand-picked some moments throughout the night that encapsulate the spirit of the award show like iconic performances, heartwarming acceptance speeches, and the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.
The Department of Theatre and Dance stages 'Kinky Boots'
By Trinity Rea and Olivia Ground / September 26, 2024The Department of Theatre and Dance stages “Kinky Boots” in University Theatre
Students in one of the largest minorities on campus push for change
By Ella Howell and Dillon Rosenlieb / September 19, 2024Some students with disabilities feel excluded from sporting events due to a lack of accessibility in student sections.
