After Trump’s Win, Indian Students’ American Dream Seems Distant

Trump’s campaign was built around putting ‘America First’ and an anti-immigrant policy.

Trump’s win was received as an unwelcoming message to many international students including those who plan to go to the US next year for higher education. (Photo: AP)

Thanks to his ‘America First’ and fiercely anti-immigrant stand, Donald Trump becoming the 45th President of the United States has come as bad news for Indian students planning to study in the US.

Some of them have even decided to drop plans to study in the States. that’s because there are strong fears they might be unwelcome in a charged, post-Trump America. Many are also afraid that changes in rules may make it difficult for them to get jobs in the US after finishing their education.

Keeping ‘America First’

But despite his ‘America First’ stance, Trump has been inconsistent in his views. On one hand, he said he’s against H-1B visas. But he has also stated that he doesn’t mind people entering the US as long as they do so legally.

He has also declared that he would bring back jobs to America, which could mean lesser jobs after completing your studies in the US.

This could also mean stricter visa rules for India professionals (especially those form the IT sector) who want to work in the States.

‘Trump’s Win’ Equals ‘Students’ Panic’

Students who are looking at going abroad for further studies now seem to be reconsidering their decision.

Dhwani Kitchlue, a student of Delhi University who graduated this year, had been waiting for the US election results to take a final decision on going abroad.

I was waiting for the election results to decide where I’ll be eventually going, something in my head told me Trump could win. Now I need to seriously consider Europe, even though job opportunities aren’t that great there.

Dhwani Kitchlue

Another Delhi-based student, Kavya Saxena, who was preparing for the GMAT, has decided not to take the test after Trump’s victory.

Students from India and other countries have written about their decision not to go to the US for higher studies after Trump’s win.

Educational Consultants Still Hopeful

Before Trump went on about complaining about H-1B visas, he had said that he felt America needs more engineers.

But as the campaign went on, his view on immigrants grew narrower. Now that he has won the election, education consultancies are having a tough time convincing students to go to the US.

But the consultants expect less or no problems for Indian students in going abroad. Suchismita Chakraborty, a consultant working with IDP Education India Private Limited, said that there will be no problems for students who are planning to go to the States.

James Allen, a consultant, also said that there should be no problems for international students in a thread on Quora.

Trump’s inconsistent statements along with his anti-immigrant position make it difficult for one to understand his stand. Only time will tell what things will work out for Indian and other foreign students once he becomes President.