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If I am required to leave the US, I think I'm going to have to think about whether I'm going to remain in academia at all. I've spent three years working my heart and soul out in the US. Made connections and networks happen. I don't have the energy to do this again...
Thousands of us, particularly those in grad school, are going to be thinking along these lines for a while.
I love my work. I'm good at it. At 26, I'm one of the youngest in my program, and one of the only people in my field. Forgive me if I'm angry and upset that that my world is being turned upside down.
Your international students and colleagues are NOT okay.
And this is particularly concerning for people (like me) who are done with coursework. How does one even think of f2f classes when our work is now at research and writing phase? If part of our classes are to be in person and part online, what about research units?
And speaking of going back to our home countries, what about those of us who CAN'T travel back because of travel restrictions? India is running limited flights at exorbitant prices, and tickets get booked the moment they're up for sale. What about the PANDEMIC?!
To add more, so many international students come from economic hardship, or have financial constraints that affected them even BEFORE they came to the US. I'm luckier than most because I have a robust support system to help. What about those who do not?
The cost of aspiring to an education is in itself a massive source of worry. Internationals jump through hoops to prove their "worthiness" at various altars- English proficiency, proof of commensurate education, financial stability, all to get visas that now get invalidated.
If somehow we switch to an F2F institution, where do we secure funding from? What are the other costs we will have to pay? One obvious one is our health. You think Memorial Day and rallies were super-spreader events? Try thousands of international students who are terrified...
...of losing visa status, and showing up for courses while sick.
And there are so many more concerns like : https://twitter.com/AbayaMiriam/status/1280211711379804161?s=19
