Will Work For Words
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There are currently 732,277 international students in the United States
and their net contribution to U.S. economy is $20,232,000,000.
THE FILM
“Will Work For Words” is a gift to the United States featuring sequences that recall a mobile version of the Statue of Liberty.
This is a non–traditional documentary. It explores this issue by not revealing people's identities. Aysehan Julide Etem focuses on the participants' mouths to create a series of moving images that emphasize their words, hence the title, “Will Work For Words”. Additionally, it is a conceptual work because it brings to attention the various accents of the foreigners in this country.
Another important feature in the film is the integration of a female figure. This woman is a new generation symbol of the Statue of Liberty. This woman can do anything. She can cross borders, move around freely, get married, and look at the world around her. She is the mobile symbol of liberty. This figure brings out the humor of the entire situation since the flaws in the outdated immigration policies make little sense and are adversely affecting the United States’ position as the world’s most powerful economy. Action needs to be taken as soon as possible if the U.S. is retain this prestigious title.
AMERICAN DREAM
The job growth in the United States that can be attributed to these international students, in the rare cases that they are permitted to stay in the country, has contributed significantly to the American economy. Not allowing them to remain in the country has a harsh negative impact on both the U.S. economy and the global economy, as a whole.
Many people interviewed in the film “Will Work For Words” are aware of this situation and have expressed his/her frustration towards the American immigration system. One of them says, “I feel like the United States does not appreciate the talent that they have” and she continues “I sometimes ask to myself, is it really worth it?”
Now that foreign students have become aware of the limitations present in this country, they understand how difficult it is for them to achieve the so-called “American dream.” In fact, 122 colleges and universities recently sent a letter to President Obama about how not permitting these students to compete for jobs in the United States will hurt the American economy.
The fact is that international students are already looking elsewhere; a form of the mortgage bank failure is likely to occur in the coming years for the international student market unless something is done soon. If the market dries up for international students, colleges and universities will stand to lose millions because they will no longer have a diversified portfolio. If international students stop coming to the U.S., not only schools but also the U.S. economy will be in huge trouble.
U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY
The U.S. education system has so far attracted the brightest and the best students from all around the world. However, the current immigration policies make it almost impossible for them to find jobs that would allow them to remain in the country, in spite of the outstanding skills, talent, and the enthusiasm that they bring to the country.
The United States is currently outsourcing the skills and the talent that has been built and nurtured in the country through the education system. Many brilliant foreign students end up going back to either their native countries or other immigrant friendly countries such as Singapore. The United States is losing a precious asset for students that leave the country after completing their education.
Despite a continuous growth of the number of international enrollments in the U.S. over the past few years, the country’s share of “global mobile students”, international students leaving their home country, has steadily declined by 30% over the last decade because of the increased competition and opening of new markets. This has been cause for concern for those in the U.S. who worry that the country might be losing its appeal among international students.
U.S. politicians are aware of this situation, but they do not take any real action at the same time, as they are afraid of losing voters.
It is still popular American belief that allowing foreign students to work or start their businesses in the U.S. takes jobs away from Americans. Instead, foreign students make the pie bigger for everyone, not take a share of it, helping the American economy and the global economy as a whole. In the end, America was a country of immigrants and it still remains a country of immigrants.
Will Work For Words