The pandemic has severely affected their nonimmigrant status, as travel restrictions, restrictive employment opportunities, and considerations about family members back home have made it difficult for foreign scholars to focus on their university studies. The findings may help universities more adaptively target vulnerable populations in times of crisis, as the demanding situations faced by these scholars are likely to differ from those of the general student population.
“For foreign MU students, especially those of us from Africa, the pandemic has been very complicated for us given the distance separating us from our families,” said Ifeolu David, a PhD student in MU’s School of Health Professions and lead author of the study. “With all the restrictions related to our visa prestige and limited employment opportunities, you can believe how the pandemic has impacted our intellectual fitness and educational guidance given our limited social support network. “
David, who came from Sierra Leone to study at MU, collaborated with Wilson Majee, an associate professor at MU’s College of Health Professions, to interview 15 African-born foreign academics at MU about the impact of the pandemic on their education. experience.
“Some foreign scholars must undertake secure internships to meet graduation requirements. International scholars are only allowed to take advantage of on-campus employment opportunities to meet eligibility requirements for their visas given their nonimmigrant status. Opportunities for personhood, so it was complicated,” David said. “Studying was complicated, as we called our families’ homes to check they were in an absolutely different time zone, which disrupted daily routines and made it difficult to stay focused academically. “
Majee added that as internship and study presentation opportunities at meetings ended abruptly, the timeline for foreign scholars to make plans to graduate was delayed, resulting in a confusing and lengthy procedure for offloading the extension of their visa status.
“Almost 20 years ago, I came to the United States as a foreign student from Zimbabwe, so helping this vulnerable population of scholars is not public to me,” Majee said. “MU has made wonderful strides in diversity, equity and inclusion. , and we must contribute even more to those purposes. International academics can do the same career as national academics, but they start from another starting point given the demanding situations they face. Our overall purpose is your well-being and lowering your barriers to reading in the United States.
The researchers said the findings could help university principals make the case for more flexible policies related to visa regulations and on-campus employment opportunities in times of crisis. thus giving a contribution and obtaining advantages from the American economy.
“As a foreign student from Africa, I was able to perceive and resonate with the reports shared across the participants in this study,” David said. “By giving foreign scholars a voice, we can be more informed about their reports and demanding situations. “so that we can ultimately well-being here at MU and across the country. “
Please indicate the appropriate maximum category to facilitate the processing of your request
Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback to the editors.
Your opinion is for us. However, we do not guarantee individual responses due to the large volume of messages.