US Policy Change Restricts Study Abroad Opportunities for International Students
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A recent policy change by the US immigration agency has imposed new restrictions on international students holding F-1 visas, limiting their participation in study abroad programmes to a maximum of five months. The sudden change, introduced on 27 August, has raised concerns across the higher education sector.
Previously, international students could maintain their F-1 status while studying abroad for extended periods, as long as they remained enrolled at a US institution. However, the new guidance treats study abroad programmes exceeding five months as an absence, potentially disrupting the academic and professional plans of many students.
Minerva University, known for its global rotation-based programmes, has been significantly impacted by the changes. The university typically places students in various global cities, such as Berlin, Buenos Aires, and Seoul, for more than five months. Now, Minerva is being forced to bring back 150 students to the US to prevent them from losing their F-1 status.
‘Many US campuses offer study abroad programmes longer than five months. International students with these visas are now restricted from taking advantage of these wonderful opportunities,’ said Mike Magee, president of Minerva University.
Stakeholders believe the impact on international students was an unintended consequence of the policy and are advocating for a grace period and possible re-evaluation. The changes could also have long-term implications for students’ post-graduation opportunities, such as OPT (Optional Practical Training), which depends on maintaining active F-1 status.
Minerva and other universities are now seeking support from US lawmakers to address the issue and ensure that international students can continue to benefit from global education opportunities.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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