The percentage of international students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities has climbed over the past five years, due to rising applications from overseas and declining enrollment by U.S. students. College administrators encourage civic engagement for all students, and international students are following the U.S. presidential race. “The election will determine the roles for foreign nationals in the U.S. economy and whether their contributions are welcomed,” write Paul Elish and Susan Froetschel for YaleGlobal. “International students and children of undocumented immigrants join their peers in attending campaign rallies and protests, writing opinion essays and volunteering for campaigns by making telephone calls, giving voters rides to the polls and providing IT support.” The work of passionate volunteers can make a difference in close contests. The campaign messages resonate, the students note, and U.S. policies carry impact in an inter-connected world.

The murder and mayhem of Islamic State and other terrorists ruin the lives of those who must flee in more ways than one. The conflict poses danger and uncertainty for aid groups operating in the region, and fundraising is compromised as governments strive to put a stranglehold on resources diverted to extremists.