| The number of international students coming to the United States has increased from 48,486 in 1959-1960 to 623,805 in the 2007-2008 academic years (Open Doors, 2008). These students contributed ;Africa is currently the most under-developed continent and African universities have received renewed attention by philanthropic organizations and universities in the United States seeking to support them by developing long-term partnerships in critical fields (Coombe, 1991; Damtew & Altbach, 2004; "Africa," 2009). Inadequate equipment, facilities, finances and the resultant loss of its best and brightest students has had a negative effect on Africa's economic development (Bloom, Canning, & Chan, 2006; Doss, Evenson & Ruther, 2003; Erinosho, 2008, Fischer & Lindow, 2008; Ndulu, 2003; Ramphele, 2003; Sall, 2003; Sawyerr, 2003; Samoff & Carrol, 2002).;The findings have implications for the university, faculty, incoming students, current students, international agencies and non-profit donor agencies seeking to improve economic development in Africa by adapting support systems to meet the needs of these self-financed students who wish to return home and make a difference in their communities. |
