Given the current political climate in the United States, many are predicting a decline in the number of international students enrolling in American universities. A survey conducted by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers found that out of 250 colleges and universities, 40 percent are reporting declines in the number of international applicants.

Here at NC State, there are more than 4,800 international students enrolled; despite the national rhetoric surrounding those from different countries, these students are vital contributors to our community. Interacting with international students contribute to a student’s cultural competency, communication skills and critical thinking ability.

Cultural competence is the ability to understand and interact with people of different cultures and beliefs. Improving cultural competency in university students only serves to benefit students when they head out into the real world.

Tyrek Shepard, a senior studying accounting, who has lived in the Global Village in Alexander Hall, noted the cultural benefits of international students. He said, “I’ve learned a lot about their cultures and perspectives. They bring a unique perspective.”

Understanding different perspectives is essential to engaging in civil interactions with individuals who have differing views, whether they be international students or not.

Having international students on campus also improves the communication skills of domestic students. Many of us will graduate from NC State and head into careers that require working with people from around the world. Whether we are seeking to improve our communication skills through acquiring the ability to speak a foreign language or just improve our overall cultural competency skills, having international students on campus makes that task significantly easier.

A 2013 study in the Journal of International Students found that U.S. students that interacted with international students gained new cultural perspectives, empathy and showed signs of increased cultural competency. These are skills that will undoubtedly benefit students when they leave the university and enter the workforce.

Conversation with international students can also improve the critical thinking abilities of both parties. The aforementioned study also found that having serious discussions with international students positively affected their abilities to think critically about a subject. While surrounding yourself with like-minded people may make you more comfortable, college is a time to challenge your beliefs and think outside the box. It is dangerous to be surrounded by carbon copies of yourself.

Kelechi Kwazemem-Opara, a junior studying electrical and computer engineering who is originally from Nigeria, stressed this, saying, “The less amount of diversity you have, the more closed-minded I think a set of people are … Then they are ignorant to things around the world.”

But, having international students on campus does not only benefit domestic students, it also benefits the students who travel to study here.

Kwazemem-Opara noted, “[studying at NC State] gives me the ability to use state-of-the-art facilities and learn and adopt a new culture. Americans get to learn from these people and we get to learn from Americans as well.”

So, while a possible decline in international students at NC State may not seem like the most pressing issue facing the university, the opposite is true. Appreciating, engaging and ensuring international students feel at home on our campus serves to benefit all members of the Wolfpack.