I've been on an #F1visa for ten years: high school, then undergrad, and now PhD. It has always felt that my status is fragile and liminal. This is what it's been like. #StudentBan 1/n

#F1visa for Russians lasts 1 year only. After that, you can stay in the US if your I-20 form is valid, but if you leave, you need to renew the visa before coming back. It cannot be renewed from within the US. This is expensive and extremely inconvenient. #StudentBan 2/n

The year before I started grad school, the renewal process took so long that I was late to school. When I inquired whether my visa would be issued before the semester starts, the response was "It can take up to 90 days or more" (which describes the set of natural numbers!). 3/n

I got lucky and arrived on the last day to choose classes. It was the last day I could start without having to defer a whole semester. It was incredibly stressful and the classes I ended up taking that semester were not the best fit for me. #StudentBan 4/n

The following summer I didn't go home because there was not enough time between the summer programs I was taking. The summer after that, I decided to go back because my grandfather had cancer and I wanted to see him. The visa took three months again. #StudentBan 5/n

I had to do a summer program remotely, and I was the only person online, so I missed out on valuable experiences and struggled more than I needed to. I am grateful to the organizers for allowing me to participate from across the Atlantic, but it was tough. #StudentBan 6/n

I could not see my partner for those months and we had no way of knowing when we would see each other next. #StudentBan 7/n

Because of the uncertainty, during those three months, I felt as though I had to plan for two lives: one where I would have to remain in Russia and figure out my best career move, and one where I would be allowed to attend my PhD program. #StudentBan 8/n

Every time I reapply for a visa, it is incredibly stressful because there is always a chance of rejection. After so many years of making connections in the US, knowing that all of it can be taken away by the stroke of a pen is devastating. #StudentBan 9/n

As an F-1 student, I cannot apply for most scholarships. In undergrad, I was not eligible for almost any REUs. I found only one I could apply for. My colleagues got paid that summer, I had to pay tuition. Still, I am really lucky to have gotten into it. #StudentBan 10/n

I was lucky to have been an undergrad at a major research university that had an internal research experience program that could pay me, but this is not the case for everyone. Research experience really matters for grad school admissions. #StudentBan 11/n

Also, after five years on an F-1 visa, one is considered a resident for tax purposes (and, notably, for no other purposes). I pay taxes the same way any American does. #StudentBan 12/n

I am incredibly lucky to be where I am and to have graduated from an Ivy league school and to be attending another. I am also lucky to have had multiple mentors who supported me professionally and financially, as well as colleagues who understand and empathize. #StudentBan 13/n

In large this support structure is due to the vibrant multinational community I have encountered during my education. I have learned so much from my international peers, and I am a better human and a better mathematician for it. #StudentBan 14/n

Some people ask, "Does #StudentBan affect you personally?" I understand that everyone worries about their friends first but frankly, I would say that any hit to the international community in academia is a hit to my experience -- it is probably a hit to yours, too. 15/n

When someone else cannot attend because the consulates are closed, it affects us personally. When someone else has to leave the country, it affects us personally. Their absence affects all of us personally. #StudentBan 16/n

Every year I have been in the US, and especially these past four years, I have felt that the doors to a productive career and a stable future here are closing for me. Please fight to protect #F1, #J1, and #H1B visas. 17/n

I've seen many people mention that we are "legal" immigrants -- I want to highlight that one's immigration status should not be a basis for discrimination, and that we are not "better" than anyone who is undocumented. #StudentBan 18/n

I know that many groups of people have it way worse than international students, and I am not asking you to feel bad for us. I am writing about what it was like for me in hopes I can illuminate the #F1 experience for some and to validate others’ experiences. #StudentBan 19/n

It has meant a lot to see solidarity in the academic community over the course of the last week. Let’s keep it up and support all international students. #internationalstudents #StudentBan 20/20