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Harvard student fears for visa: what awaits her now!
Anonymous TUM student reports on challenges with internships in the USA and dealing with visa regulations.
Harvard student fears for visa: what awaits her now!
A student from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) reports on her experiences as a visiting researcher at Harvard Business School as part of a study program. She entered the USA in January of this year with a “J1 Student Internship” visa. Before Trump's inauguration, scheduled for January 20, she was advised to get to the United States in good time to avoid possible difficulties. Your entry was positive, although experiences vary depending on the border officer.
However, in the context of her stay, the student also observed the recent reactions of her fellow students and employees at Harvard. Many seem to no longer respond to requests for fear of negative consequences for their visa. This shows the uncertainty that current political developments bring with them.
Challenges when studying abroad
The J1 visa is an important key for many international students to complete internships in the USA. It allows them to gain practical experience that fits their educational goals for up to 12 months. The prerequisite for this is, among other things, that the students are enrolled at an accredited university outside the USA and have sufficient English language skills. Proof of financial resources for the entire stay must also be provided.
A requirement of the J1 program is to return to the home institution after the internship. In addition, valid health insurance is mandatory during your stay. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to maintaining legal status, and address changes must also be reported to immigration authorities within 10 days, as [HIO] reports.
Travel formalities and legal framework conditions
To enter the USA, students who want to complete an internship must complete extensive entry formalities. The J1 visa application process can be lengthy and requires an accredited sponsor to verify eligibility and issue the necessary Form DS-2019. This document is essential for the internship agreement.
After completing the DS-2019, the documents must be submitted to the US Embassy, with the final step being an interview with a US official in English. If approved, the applicant will receive their visa within a few days. Here too, some J1 visas are subject to an obligation to return to the home country for two years, which can further complicate students' planning, as described in detail on [USA ESTA].
Overall, the TUM student's report shows that a stay abroad at prestigious institutions like Harvard brings both opportunities and challenges. The experiences during her time in the USA are formative, even if the general conditions and developments on the political horizon create further uncertainty. She had already been planning her departure from the USA for some time, which seems to be a strategic decision given the current tense situation.