2003 Media Releases

United States Universities Are Becoming Popular Among Fiji Students

With more than 200 students studying in 56 different universities across 20 different states, the U.S. has become a popular destination for Fiji students seeking higher education abroad.

Ambassador David Lyon said that despite the fact that education is very expensive in the US, Fiji students continue to show increasing interest in pursuing higher education in the US universities

Ambassador Lyon announced that due to the increasing popularity among Fiji students to study in the U.S., the Embassy will start an aggressive educational advising program next year. The advising program will assist students intending to study in the United States to meet the requirements for enrollment in U.S. universities. Embassy officials will visit schools and higher education institutions to brief students on the various aspects of studying in the U.S.

Ambassador Lyon also added that those students seeking to study in the US must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have the financial resources to meet the cost of education in the US and that they will return to Fiji after completing their study before they will be issued the visa.

Ambassador Lyon also highlighted that:

· With 69 students enrolled in academic programs, Hawaii is the most popular state with Fiji students (41% of the total). States that follow in order of popularity with Fiji students are: California (61), Utah (6), Iowa (4) and Arizona (3). Eighty-five percent of Fiji students enrolled in U.S. institutions are concentrated in these five states.

· Brigham Young University-Hawaii has the largest proportion of students from Fiji (63 students or 38% of the total) in its academic programs.

· Eighty-nine percent of all Fiji students are studying at the undergraduate level. Ten percent are enrolled in graduate programs.