US envoy tries to reverse decline in J1 student visas

[bin.dare]

In an unprecedented attempt to reverse a dramatic decline in the numbers of Irish students taking part in the J1 summer visa programme, the American ambassador to Ireland is to address information seminars for students here.

Under the J1 programme, Irish students can legally work and live in the US for a maximum of four months over the summer.

However, last year The Irish Times revealed that applications for the programme received by the student travel agency, USIT, had fallen from 6,500 to 2,800.

Mr Kenny said he was aware that there was some anti-US sentiment among students as a result of the war in Iraq, but he believed there were a number of other factors which had contributed to the decrease in applications for the programme.

(more)
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2005/0118/1036741887HM1JAYONE.html

[Hoping4Change]

1. Could it be that that the chickens are coming home to roost?

[bemildred]

2. Yes, of course, nothing to do with Iraq ...

Nothing to do with the Shrubites bullying foreign policy.
:puke:

[madrchsod]

3. why would any student want

to put up with the indignity of coming here? if they have family here in the states-EACH- letter that is sent here from ireland must be signed for..yes EACH letter. makes me feel safer knowing that EVERY letter sent to a citizen of this country has to be signed for. why would anyone want to come here?

[Benhurst]

4. Do you have a link for this? I'm not doubting your word -- I

would like to send this information on to others. Thanks in advance.

[central scrutinizer]

5. Why come to a third-rate education system?

Decades of underfunding higher education in this country are coming home to roost. Unless, of course they want to learn that the earth is only 6000 years old, Noah's flood created the Grand Canyon, dinosaurs were contemporaneous with humans, etc.

[DulceDecorum]

6. No matter, the droves of tourists will take up the slack

because as you know,
there is no better way to start your holiday
than being groped and humiliated
and having your valuables 'confiscated' or outright stolen
by TSA.
Then there is nothing more relaxing
than having rightwingnuts try you ram you off the roads
and then sneer at you when you try to express any thought whatsoever.

Students who do not appreciate
being spied upon by the Young Republicans
are not the sort we need around here.
THIS IS AMERICA, BABY, THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH!!!