THE POST-9/11 SYNDROME: International Education in an era of Homeland Insecurity: Perspectives from the Florida Frontline

This book investigated the relationship between the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the internationalization agenda of US colleges and universities. Three research questions were investigated, with two universities in the Miami-area of South Florida, one private and the other public, as qualitative case studies.

Key findings included a progressive decline in Fall to Fall enrollment of international students at both institutions, where themes associated with the post-9/11 environment of international education as perceived by international education professionals were aggregated into 3(M)enaces, 3(T)rajectories, 3 (C)ontradictions and 1(D)ominance.

As Dr. Michael Smithee stated in the foreword: “Dr. Tella adroitly lays out … the effect the calumny of 9/11had on their personal and professional lives, as well as perspectives on institutional responses to the crisis…the initiated will find a camaraderie of experience and expression in the descriptions elicited…For the uninitiated… this book will bring a personal touch to those events.“

Given the immediate and long-term implications of this book for international student and scholar exchange, it is a must-read for anyone interested or currently involved in international work.