What's the change in the visa? What international students are most concerned about is the possibility of the Trump administration changing the student visa policy.
Donald Trump's controversial proposals, such as the wall separating the United States from Mexico and temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States, may affect the plans of many international students if passed. With the recent terrorist attacks attracting more and more attention, Trump's running mate Mike Pence said that he and Trump are "very, very clear about suspending immigration from countries threatened by terrorism."
Therefore, international students from countries considered "threatened by terrorism" may be refused entry to the United States. In addition, Trump also called for "ideological screening test" as a form of "extreme review" of immigrants.
However, it is worth noting that Trump tweeted in August 20 15 to support international students in the United States: "When foreigners enter our first-class universities and want to stay in the United States, they should not be driven out of our country."
? A new student financial aid program? It is unclear whether the Trump administration will change the opportunity to provide financial assistance to international students, because higher education did not receive much attention during his campaign. Education Minister Betsy Devosse did not make any specific policy statement, although she promised to "make education great again".
However, it may be good news for American students. During the election campaign in June 20 16, Donald Trump expressed his concern about the high debt faced by American students and supported the income-based repayment system (generally supported by Democrats and Republicans). He proposed a repayment system, in which students pay 12.5% of their income every year for 15 years, and then they can be exempted from loans. This is similar to the student loan repayment system for students in Britain.
Trump also promised to force universities to lower tuition fees and criticized universities and the federal government for raising tuition fees.
? Will international students go to other places? At present, more than 6,543,800 international students are studying in the United States, contributing billions of dollars to the national economy. However, there are signs that the United States may now be regarded as an unwelcome destination-especially for students from countries, religions or other groups attacked by Trump. Other students may be disappointed that the Trump administration may change their work visas, leading them to choose destinations that are more attractive to graduates' employment opportunities.
Renait Stephens, CEO of studying abroad in the United States, said that international students and their parents are worried, but he pointed out that it is still too early. He told VOA: "So now we just want to reassure the students that nothing has changed. The American campus is still safe. They are still open. They are still diverse. You will still get a good education. "
Other higher education experts are also relatively optimistic. Peggy Blumenthal of the Institute of International Education (IIE) points out that throughout the history of IIE's collection of data on the number of international students in the United States, they have almost never seen a decline-no matter what happens in the world.
She said: "Many important changes have taken place in American policy, international environment and economy. However, no matter what happens in other places around, the number of international students almost continues to increase. "
Undoubtedly, American universities themselves are eager to send welcome messages to students all over the world. For many international students, no matter what they think of the president, the attraction of American degrees and university experience will beat the Trump administration.