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Foreign students feel safe in valley By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - The Rogue Valley is considered a safe place, said two international students at Southern Oregon University. Both have been in contact with worried parents since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. "If I was in New York or a big city I might worry, but I'm not (worried) here" said Rie Kusafuka, a junior business major from Tokyo. "I talked with my mom. She said, 'If something happens, come home!'." Kusafuka was in Hawaii on Sept. 11. She flew back to SOU later. "If they have (some news) that is not good, they ask if I should come home," said Thanchanok Ruangsiriwut of Bangkok, Thailand. "This is safe, I think." A freshman business major, Ruangsiriwut was in Kansas for English language instruction before coming to Ashland in July. The Sept. 11 terrorist events have had little apparent impact on foreign student enrollment at the Rogue Valley's institutions of higher education. But officials say the future may be uncertain if student visas are limited. About 60 new international students were slated to come to SOU and about 50 enrolled. That's typical of most years, said SOU International Programs director Keith Chambers. Classes started Sept. 24. SOU will have about 150 international students, including those who return from last year. It is too early to determine how many returning students may have stayed home, Chambers said. "We are only aware of one student who didn't come in due to the Sept. 11 catastrophe," said Chambers. "We don't have a large number of students from Muslim parts of the world," said Chambers. One new student from the United Arab Emirates enrolled. A few students from the Middle East and Indonesia returned to SOU. "Frankly, we are concerned about the possible backlash to international students," said Chambers, referring to limits on student visas. "My own guess is that is an unlikely move." A few students have not shown up at the American Language Academy, a private English preparation firm for foreign students on the SOU campus. A new term started Monday. A student from Korea indicated he would not attend. The school has not heard from two students from Saudi Arabia who were scheduled to enroll. Another student was unable to get a visa. There are no students from Muslim counties currently at ALA. "I wouldn't be surprised if (visa-limiting legislation proposed by Sen. Diane Feinstein) does have an effect," said ALA director Amy Lepon. Rogue Community College has only a "small handful" of foreign students, said spokesperson Tom Bradbeer. "When it occurs it is usually a friend or relative of a local family, so we haven't had an issue with foreign students," said Bradbeer Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls had just one international student of about 50 expected who didn't show up, reported Palmer Muntz, OIT director of admissions. "Many are very concerned about their studies," said Jane Rider, OIT director of student and community development. "It's a big thing to go a whole world away to go to school and not be able to know that you can continue." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.