When I worked overseas (China and Indonesia), the students in my caseload applying to universities would always consider the politics and overall state of affairs in a country they were interested in. During the lead up to Trump first being elected and then throughout his term in office, these conversations took on a different tone and level of urgency. Many students of various nationalities and backgrounds considering studying in the US were genuinely concerned about what they observed unfolding, and were much more worried about things like gun violence, racism, their personal safety, as well as how they would be received in a country that appeared to be changing so quickly. It’s with these conversations in mind that I read this article in the Guardian recently, and in my experience, it’s a glaring example of what students and families see and read overseas that make them reconsider coming to the US to further their education. The chance that Trump may have another opportunity in the oval office along with his comments about immigration and Vance’s comments in another piece (JD Vance Is Coming for Higher Ed) are not helping the situation. When I speak with university admissions staff, there are concerns about how US politics and education policy will impact international applications moving forward, and the worries are justified.
