Savanna Hoffman
International students often face a difficult decision about whether to return home or remain in their host country after completing their studies. Various factors, such as career opportunities, visa complications, and personal preferences, influence their decision-making process. While some students may choose to return home due to homesickness or the inability to secure a visa or job in their host country, others may decide to stay to pursue better career prospects or obtain permanent residency. Understanding the motivations and complexities behind these decisions is essential for developing effective human resources, immigration policies, and support systems for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students' concerns | Losing their visas and forfeiting their degrees |
| Being targeted based on their nationality | |
| Fear of deportation | |
| Revoked visas | |
| Inability to visit family back home | |
| Universities' advisory against international travel | |
| Difficulty in returning to the host country | |
| Loss of job opportunities |
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What You'll Learn
International students' fear of losing visas
International students in the US are facing a period of uncertainty and fear due to the Trump administration's crackdown on visas. More than 1,000 international students have had their visas or legal status revoked, with the administration citing various reasons, including ties to terrorist organisations, support for political conflicts, and criminal records. This has caused significant concern among international students, who fear losing their visas and, consequently, their degrees and future prospects.
The situation has led to a sense of vulnerability and mental anguish for many students. Some have chosen to keep a low profile, carefully following the rules to avoid any issues with their visa status. Others have sought guidance to understand their risk factors, considering their country of citizenship, political expressions, and social media activity. The fear of deportation and the potential consequences have had a profound impact on the well-being and decision-making of international students.
The visa crackdown has also affected the perception of the US as a top destination for higher education. With the tightening of visa restrictions, there is a growing trend of students from various countries, especially in Africa, opting for alternative study destinations like China. China's efforts to attract international students through government scholarships, affordable tuition, and easier visa access have drawn a significant number of African students away from US institutions.
The situation has sparked legal action, with a coalition of attorneys general joining a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit aims to protect the First Amendment rights of international students and prevent the government from hindering their freedom of speech or protest. It seeks to reinstate the legal status of affected students and challenge the arbitrary nature of the visa cancellations.
The future remains uncertain for many international students in the US, with the fear of visa loss looming over their academic pursuits. The combination of strict visa policies, social media scrutiny, and the potential for sudden status changes has created an environment of anxiety and caution for these students, impacting their overall experience and well-being during their time in the country.
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Universities' discouragement of international travel
International students in the US have been discouraged from travelling abroad by their universities due to fears that they may not be able to return to the US due to travel bans and visa issues.
During the run-up to Donald Trump's second term as president, dozens of US institutions issued travel advisories for international students to return to campuses before the inauguration, amid fears of a ban being enacted soon after. More than a dozen prominent universities sent out guidance for international students ahead of a potential travel ban—some before Trump's inauguration in January 2025. The ban stems from an executive order requiring a report on whether people from specific countries posed a national security risk. The list of affected countries may change, and additional restrictions could be implemented with little warning.
Some students have already been affected by visa revocations and travel bans. Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral candidate at Columbia, self-deported to Canada after her F-1 student visa was revoked due to her social media activity. A Lebanese physician at Brown was also deported back to her home country, despite holding a US visa.
Students have expressed concerns about being targeted based on their nationality, losing their visas, and forfeiting their degrees. They are also worried about being separated from their families, with some parents unable to visit their children in the US. One student from Venezuela decided not to go home for the summer as she was unsure if she would be allowed back into the US. Another student from Iran had to cancel his plans to visit his family in Dubai due to the travel ban.
Universities have advised students to check in with them before travelling internationally and to consider their risk factors, such as their country of citizenship, political activity, and social media presence.
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International students' desire to see family
International students often experience culture shock, social isolation, and loneliness when studying abroad without their family. This can negatively impact their academic performance and ability to engage with their host society. The presence of family members can help international students overcome these challenges and positively contribute to their host communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the quality of international higher education declined due to the challenges of online classes and the health risks associated with international student mobility. Familial connections in the host country became significant determinants for migration decisions during this time. Effective communication and timely information about safety measures and pandemic-related updates from host countries' educational institutions helped ease concerns and build confidence for international students and their families.
Some countries, such as Canada, France, and the UK, have tightened rules regarding international students' family members as part of efforts to curb migration. For example, in the UK, dependants are only allowed to join students who are on government scholarships or enrolled in research-oriented postgraduate programmes. Similarly, Canada has implemented restrictions on open work permits for spouses or partners of international students. These changes have led to lower demand from certain countries, such as Nigeria and India.
International students may fear losing their visas or facing deportation if they leave their host country for visits back home. For instance, during the Trump administration in the US, some international students were scared of deportation due to their political beliefs or social media activity. The fear of losing their visas and the associated consequences on their education and travel plans creates anxiety and uncertainty for international students.
The desire to see family is a crucial factor in the decision-making process for international students. The ability to bring family members or have them visit depends on the policies of the host country and can impact an international student's choice of study destination.
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International students' intent to remain in host countries
International students contribute to cultural diversity and educational enrichment in their host countries. While some students may struggle with homesickness and choose to return home, others express a desire to remain in their host country after graduation. Surveys by the international education sector indicate that 60-80% of international students wish to work in their host country after graduating. However, there is a "sizeable gap" between this aspiration and reality, with only one in four international graduates in OECD countries staying long-term.
Several factors influence the intent of international students to remain in their host countries. Firstly, the quality of education, advanced research facilities, and diverse culture offered by top education destinations attract students and may encourage them to stay. Secondly, labour market demands play a role. Countries like Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have developed policies to incentivize international students to study and work in regional areas, helping to balance the concentration of international students in major cities. Thirdly, immigration policies and visa regulations significantly impact the ability of international students to remain in their host countries after graduation. For example, in the United States, current immigration law prohibits international students from being granted a visa if they demonstrate "immigrant intent," which means that officers can deny a visa if they believe the student intends to stay after their visa expires. This policy challenge has led to proposals for "'dual-intent' visa designations, which would allow students to enter with the understanding that they may plan to remain after graduation, facilitating their transition to other immigration categories.
Some countries are actively working to attract and retain international students and graduates. The United States, for example, has a strong interest in attracting international students, with education being the fifth-largest export industry, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs associated with supporting international students. Additionally, countries like New Zealand and Canada have been identified as having the most favourable post-study work rights, with the European Union also adopting an "open-door stance" to welcome and retain students and researchers from outside the EU.
The decision to remain in a host country after graduation is influenced by various factors, including educational, economic, and policy considerations. While many international students express a desire to stay and work in their host countries, the reality is often more complex, shaped by immigration laws, labour market demands, and global trends in higher education.
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International students' concerns about deportation
International students in the US are facing an increasingly challenging situation due to recent developments in immigration policies and visa cancellations. The threat of deportation has sparked significant concerns among this cohort, with their worries centering on several key issues.
One of the primary fears for international students is the loss of their visas, which not only jeopardizes their current studies but also puts their degrees and future plans at risk. The prospect of deportation looms large, and students are anxious about being forced to leave the country abruptly, potentially facing legal repercussions and future visa restrictions. This situation has left students in a state of limbo, unsure of their next steps and concerned about their legal standing.
The deportation efforts and visa cancellations by the Trump administration have particularly targeted students from specific countries, with India and China accounting for a significant portion of those affected. This has led to a sense of being targeted based on nationality, causing anxiety and uncertainty for international students from these countries. The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of clear communication from the authorities, with students often left in the dark about the reasons for their visa cancellations or terminations of legal status.
Another concern for international students is the potential impact on their careers and future opportunities. Many students opt to remain in the US post-graduation, leveraging the "optional practical training" provision to gain valuable work experience. However, the current climate of visa cancellations and deportations threatens their ability to pursue these career paths, causing worry and uncertainty about their professional futures.
The situation has also given rise to self-censorship among international students, who fear that speaking out about certain political issues or being active on social media could increase their risk of deportation. This climate of fear and self-censorship goes against the ideals of academic freedom and open discourse that higher education institutions strive for.
The impact of these concerns is far-reaching, affecting the well-being and mental health of international students, who find themselves constantly worrying about their legal status, their ability to complete their degrees, and their future prospects. The threat of deportation casts a shadow over what should be a rewarding academic experience, causing distress and uncertainty in its wake.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can go back home. However, they may face difficulties in returning to the country where they are studying due to possible visa complications.
International students on visas may face deportation or have their visas revoked due to political conflicts or other factors. This can result in them losing their degrees and being separated from their families.
International students should seek guidance from their universities' international student support services and consider their risk factors, such as their country of citizenship and social media activity. They should also be aware of any changes in federal policies that may impact their ability to re-enter the country where they are studying.
