American Visa Woes: Berlin Students Reassessing US Semesters Amid On-going Uncertainty
Berlin Students Suspend Fall Term in U.S.A. due to Various Reasons - Students in Berlin decide to forego their educational experience in the United States during the academic term.
In the current climate of the States, some students in Berlin are taking a second look at their forthcoming semester abroad. At Humboldt University, around a quarter of students initially planning to go have opted out, with similar figures at the Free University and Technical University, according to a report by the German Press Agency.
Some had individual reasons, while others weighed anxieties about political shifts. As a university spokesperson explained, non-binary students, in particular, were uncertain, and a trans student at the Technical University made the decision to stay in Berlin. At the Free University, the withdrawals were due to political concerns, the spokesperson added.
The US government under former President Trump had a significant impact on higher education policy. Efforts were made to bar elite university Harvard from enrolling international students, and tighter scrutiny was slated for international students and exchange program participants in the future.
Notably, the State Department is said to have instructed US diplomatic posts to halt appointments for related visa applications temporarily. Chinese students studying in the US may face the revocation of their visas.
A Humboldt University spokesperson offered reassurance, stating, "Students are still optimistic that the situation will improve soon." However, apprehension remains high. Affected students have already sought guidance at various Berlin universities, with some institutions proactively approaching students and providing counseling. At the Free University, most students yet to secure a visa.
The University of Arts (UdK) advises against cancelling travel arrangements as of yet but encourages students to monitor developments closely. Other universities share this advice.
The universities predict a decline in interest in studying in the US. Interest at an information event at the Technical University about studying in the USA in April was markedly low, as the university spokesperson disclosed.
Although universities are not discouraging a stay in the USA, FU President Günter M. Ziegler commented, "The Free University will remain dedicated to promoting its exchange programs, assuming that students at our partner universities – despite the drastic interventions by the US government – will generally have a rewarding experience."
- USA
- Students
- Berlin
- FU
- Humboldt University
- TU
- German Press Agency
In the wake of American visa issues and the ongoing uncertainty, some students at Berlin's Humboldt University, Free University, and Technical University are reconsidering their semesters abroad due to concerns about politics and education-and-self-development. The declining interest in studying in the USA is apparent, with numerous universities anticipating a decrease, as indicated by low turnout at information events, such as the one at the Technical University in April.
