ISU Bengal

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Life

Fifteen-years ago in war-torn Afghanistan, Romal Hussaini probably never imagined he would make it to America to receive a higher education.

Even though Afghanistan is more peaceful now, it was still not easy to obtain a student visa. Hussaini had to travel twice to Pakistan with paperwork to get the documents in order.

"(It's the) hardest thing to do in Afghanistan" said Hussaini.

Some 378 international students attending ISU represent 74 countries. The ISU program is aimed at bringing students interested in many fields to study in Pocatello. However, computer information system and engineering degrees are the most sought for; but it's easier said then done.

Depending on the student's country, it can be a somewhat difficult process. As in unstable Afghanistan, where it is nearly impossible. Some students may be able to easily get their student visas but other hardships may be around the corner. Such was the case for Xiaowen Mei a graduate student in the Master of Business Administration.

Mei was able to get her visa from her country with relative ease, but it took her a couple years of planning and proper English training to pass the test of English as a Foreign Language exam. The TOEFL exam is a comprehensive English test that would be hard for most Americans to pass, according to Tami Carson, international admission specialist.

ISU has a very dedicated staff devoted to helping foreign students obtain student visas. Some staff members include Susanne Forrest, the director of International Recruitment & Admissions and undergraduate advisor; Shawn Bascom, the international student advisor; Carson.

Carson played an instrumental role in encouraging Hussaini after his first application for a visa was denied "Those three people helped me a lot," Hussaini said.

Americans often take for granted the ease of getting a passport for going to Mexico or Canada for a trip, but it's quite a different process for students in other countries.

In order for a student to attend they must first be accepted into ISU admissions, and then they must submit an official transcript of their high school or college education. In many countries there is no such thing as an official transcript that comes dated and sealed, but that doesn't change the fact the ISU requires one for admission. Some transcripts are only issued once, and if the student has lost it, there is no recourse for them.

If the transcript is in another language, students must find a translator to have it put in English and then notarized. Whichever the case, simply getting a trasnscript can be a huge task. But that's only the beginning of the process. The student must then be from an English-speaking county or have passed 4 years of English classes or passed a TOEFL examination.

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