Introduction
Due to globalization which is characterized by advanced technology especially in transportation, coupled with the desire to learn from other countries, it has been realized that the rate of students seeking education in foreign counties has increased.
However, changes and development of internet contributed to the fact that learners are able to obtain desired education certificates by studying in their motherland (Dwyer, 2009). This does not mean that there are no international students. It is worth mentioning that Universities and collages have relied heavily on international students for income as well as resources.
Although there have been serious issues facing international students such as cultural differences and communication or language barriers, there is no such burning question as whether or not these students should pay taxes. There are those that should be exempted from paying taxes regardless of whether these students work or not; on the other hand, there are those who believe that they opt to pay taxes since they enjoy the services and goods of the host countries (Vance & Ahlstedt, 1996).
The title of persuasive essay is ‘international students should be exempted from paying taxes, unless they are working in the host country’. According to Dwyer, 2009, international students refer to those individuals who are seeking education in other countries and they will stay in that country for the period they will be studying.
I believe relieving foreign students from paying taxes will go long way in ensuring that they are not further troubled since they have a whole host of issues to handle such as language barrier and cultural differences. The paper is divided into the following sections, introduction where the thesis statement is brought forth, the main body where the supporting arguments for my case are succinctly covered and lastly the conclusion section where the summary of main points are brought forth. The thesis statement is then re-stated.
Supporting arguments
I believe that exempting those international students who are not working will go an extra mile in ensuring that Universities and collages open doors for more international students.
This is a good concept since it allows to share and learn about other cultures which will help in ensuring that the world’s populations partially or fully understand the various cultures hence they are able to do business successfully in various destinations (Rajapaksa & Dundes, 2003).
Assuming that international students are taxed, there will be higher chances that new and prospecting students will be discouraged from seeking studies overseas. In addition to hindering cross-cultural learning and knowledge sharing, this will compromise the advantages Universities and collages enjoyed such as financial gains (Goodman, 2006).
On the same note, this act will deny majority of international students the opportunity of enjoying the services and high quality education that could not be obtained from their home countries. This will have a serious long-term impact not only on individuals but also on the entire country of students’ origin.
Additionally, when such students are not allowed to learn in foreign countries, they will develop hard feelings about the potential host country. This kind of hostility combined with other causes of ‘perceived injustices’ will make such individuals a security threat in terms of terrorism. If the host countries try to invest in the countries by sending students to study overseas, it will be fully supported in all spheres (legally, politically and economically) and it will enjoy doing business in that country (Ault & Martell, 2007).
Secondly, I hold the view that exempting international students from paying taxes especially those who are not working will ensure that they are relieved from the hustle involved in dealing with tax issues; this will provide them with an ample opportunity to fully concentrate on academics (Vance & Ahlstedt, 1996).
Additionally, having in mind that the majority of international students face serious challenges such as language barrier, cultural differences, changes in climate among others, it would be a plus if the host country has an arrangement where these kind of students are exempted from paying taxes (Goodman, 2006). It will reduce the number of issues they have to worry about, hence, giving them an opportunity to adapt to the new environment quickly and with ease.
Thus the students will be in a better position to concentrate and do well in class. In my thesis statement, I said that there is need to tax those international students who are working. This will discourage international students from seeking job opportunities instead of learning. Additionally, it will encourage students to go back to their countries once they complete their education.
This will ensure that the host countries are not too congested which will put less pressure on existing resources and at the same time allow new students to seek education in foreign countries to get the opportunity (Rajapaksa & Dundes, 2003).
I do believe it is the responsibility of ‘richer’ countries to encourage individuals from developing countries to seek studies and support them. This in the long run will help balance the existing inequality between developed and developing countries. To accomplish this, foreign students should not be taxed.
Another reason to support my thesis statement rests on the idea that if international students are compelled to pay taxes, they will indulge in illegal activities to raise money for the same personal upkeep and entertainment.
In the United States, for instance, those who have engaged in drug trafficking are students who do so with the aim of raising more money to meet their daily need since little money they receive is taxed (Rajapaksa & Dundes, 2003).
To avoid such a scenario, it would be rational to exempt international students from paying taxes. On the same note, being compelled to pay taxes will add frustration to international students. This will drive them to engage in drug abuse such as alcohol, bhang, heroine and cocaine in the pretense that it will help relieve stress.
More importantly, since some of the international students are from third world countries who are sponsored by the government, family members or organizations, it would be unreasonable to tax them, bearing in mind that going overseas is costly.
There are cases where the government of the host country and the one sending students have reached an agreement not to tax the students. Not taxing them will uphold such an agreement leading to a mutual understanding between the two countries (Ault & Martell, 2007).
Conclusion
International students should not pay taxes. I believe that having an arrangement where those who work in the host country should pay taxes while those not working should be exempted; it will be important in encouraging students. International students are those individuals who seek higher education in a foreign country stay there as long as the study continues.
Exempting international students from paying taxes will help encourage more prospecting students to get the same opportunity. At the same time, it will encourage cross-cultural learning, knowledge sharing and ensuring that Universities and collages continue gaining financial benefits associated with the program. I have also argued that exempting international students especially those who are not working will help in ensuring that the students are relieved from the burden of worrying about tax issues.
This will further provide them with an ample opportunity to concentrate on their studies and even complete the program within the stipulated time. Additionally, the exemption will ensure that international students do not get engaged in heinous activities such as drug trafficking and drug abuse. More importantly, when international students are exempted from paying taxes, the relationship created among such students of different origin improves due to mutual respect.
This in the long run will provide a favorable environment for Foreign Direct Investments. However, I think taxing international student who are working will help fight the problem of brainwashing which is rampant in the developing countries as well as easing pressure on the available resources in the host countries.
References
Ault, D. & Martell, K. (2007). The Role of International Exchange Programs to Promote Diversity on College Campuses: A Case Study, Journal of Teaching in International Business 18(2):153-77.
Dwyer, J. (2009). Communication in Business: Strategy and skills. Prentice Hall: New York.
Goodman, A. (2006). Why they Come: Connection, The Journal of the New England Board of Higher Education, 21(2): 15-6.
Rajapaksa, S. & Dundes, L. (2003). It’s a Long Way Home: International Student Adjustment to Living in the United States, Journal of College Student Retention, 4 (1): 15-28.
Vance, D. & Ahlstedt, D. (1996). U.S. Federal Income Tax Guide for International Students and Scholars, NAFSA Association of International Educators.