Reconsidering Study Abroad Plans: Berlin Students Feel the Impact of US Visa Policy Shifts
Berlin scholars delay their academic term in the United States - Students from Berlin decidеd to postpone their academic year in the United States
In the chaos of current US politics, some students in Berlin are giving a second thought to their upcoming semester overseas. At Humboldt University, a dozen out of 40 students have decided to stay back, and at the Free University, two out of many more than 40, along with one out of 29 at Technical University, according to reports by the German Press Agency.
These decisions aren't due to homesickness or academic doubts - personal reasons or concerns about political instability seem to be the culprits, as suggested by a university spokesperson at HU. Non-binary individuals, in particular, have shown unease, while a trans person at TU opted to stay put. At the Free University, the cancellations were primarily politically motivated, as per a university spokesperson.
The US administration under President Donald Trump is stepping up its intervention in higher education matters within the USA. Efforts are underway to bar elite university Harvard from enrolling international students. Furthermore, international students and participants in exchange programs should brace themselves for intensified scrutiny in the future.
According to media outlets, the State Department has commanded US embassies and consulates to temporarily halt visa appointments. Chinese students studying in the USA are reportedly on the verge of losing their visas.
A spokesperson at HU expressed optimism, stating, "Students remain hopeful that the situation will clear up positively soon." However, the atmosphere is buzzing with uncertainty, with students from affected universities seeking guidance at multiple Berlin universities. In fact, some universities are taking the initiative, offering counselling to students. At the Free University, most students haven't obtained a visa yet, according to the spokesperson.
The University of the Arts plans to send 14 students to the USA for the winter semester, and the University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Law expects 17 students. Thankfully, no cancellations have been reported from either university so far.
The turmoil in US visa policies can have a significant impact on international students, leading them to reconsider their study abroad plans. Uncertainty over visa requirements or processing times can cause difficulties in obtaining necessary documents, potentially forcing students to reevaluate their decisions. It is essential to monitor the situation closely and stay informed.
For now, universities aren't advising against a USA stay. The Free University, for instance, will continue to support its exchange programs. As FU President Günter M. Ziegler put it, "We believe that students at our partner universities, despite the drastic interventions of the US government, will generally have an outstanding experience."
- Due to the increased scrutiny and changes in US visa policies under President Donald Trump, some international students at Berlin universities are reconsidering their study abroad plans, as they face difficulties in obtaining necessary documents and navigating the uncertainty of the visa requirements.
- In light of the changes in US politics impacting the higher education sector, some universities in Berlin are providing counselling and support to students, acknowledging the potential consequences on vocational training, education-and-self-development, and general-news, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the evolving visa policies.
