Alternative Options to Moving to the U.S. for International Students

Currently, the future is uncertain for international students hoping to earn their degree in the U.S., especially students who are coming from the countries that are included in President Trump’s controversial ban. Although you may have nothing to worry about if you have already been accepted for a green card or you have international student status, this cannot be said for definite and it’s no surprise that many international students currently in the U.S. and prospective students from abroad are feeling worried and unsure about their academic future. We’ve listed some of the best alternatives to consider for international students.

Online Degree Programs

Studying for an online degree program such as this online masters in social work from Rutgers Online could be a viable alternative for international students. Depending on the specific school and their own admissions rules and guidelines, international students may well be able to start or continue their degree from overseas if they are unable to gain entry into the U.S. However, if online study is something that you are considering as an international student, bear in mind that some programs require you to spend some time on campus for exams, which could be potentially problematic for certain international students.

Alternative Study Destinations

Studying in the U.S. is a great idea for many prospective students, however, it is also one of the most expensive places to study and has some of the highest tuition fees in the world – and that’s just for home students. As an international student, you may even need to apply for further permission to work in order to earn money to support yourself whilst at college. If you’re hoping to pursue social work careers for the future, you might want to think about colleges and universities located in countries such as Canada, the UK, Europe and the Nordic countries, where all international students are usually welcomed with open arms.

Alternatives to College

As an international student, attending college overseas is likely going to cost you more than it will home students. Because of this, you might want to consider any possible alternatives to earning a college degree when it comes to achieving your career goals for the future. For example, you might want to consider an apprenticeship, with many options available for people who want to eventually work at a graduate level without attending college or university. Many apprenticeship schemes will offer positions for international workers, although you may need to apply for a work permit or visa depending on the country you plan to complete it in.

Studying at Home

Finally, it’s important to ask yourself how important it is that you study abroad. For many students, the poor levels of education in their countries or current political situation means that their only hope is to move abroad for college. However, you may be able to go to college in a different area of your country, for example. This will likely cost you much less, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

International students in the U.S. currently have a very uncertain future. If you’re worried about your academic future, these alternatives are always available.