But parallels can be drawn in fine lines as well as broad strokes and one such parallel should be drawnthe economic plight of Chinese nationals. who were studying in our colleges and universities at the time of the collapse of China. and their Vietnamese and Cambodian counterparts. In the 194849 academic year there were 3.900 Chinese students in the United States. supported mostly by private funds from China. As the Communist forces became increasingly successful. these funds were cut off and the impact was immediate and devastating. The Chinese students were unable to meet living and college expenses. They could not get jobs because they held student visas. Nor could they return to China with safety. The colleges and universities generously extended some aid but they had limited resources and had to give priority to American students.