International Student Week: A Tale of Two Students

Applying and getting accepted to a college is an endeavor all college students experience, but the added stresses of moving across the globe and applying for a student visa is a struggle only international students know. There are financial, institutional, and physical barriers that only these students experience, with more obstacles being proposed to limit student visa issuance.

Two international students, Lauren Singery and Charlie Parker, experienced these struggles first-hand when they decided to study at Wittenberg University.

Flying thousands of miles from everything you know for an opportunity to better yourself is a big decision. Singery chose to travel from South Africa to study abroad because of the business opportunities and cultural experiences available within the U.S. education system. Parker had decided on international studies for the chance to play golf at college, while majoring in Business.

“Studying internationally felt like the best way to grow, learn from different cultures, and challenge myself academically and personally,” Singery, a Marketing and International Business major, noted enthusiastically.

Though there are many educational opportunities presented when in the United States, the process of getting a student visa in the U.S. is a financial feat, costing $185 to apply and an issuance fee associated with the country of origin, which can be up to $1,000. This doesn’t include the $350 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, which funds the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Additionally, these high fees don’t automatically guarantee a student's acceptance. Once those fees are paid and they get their visa approved, they must then pay for their tuition, as most international students don’t get financial aid.

The process of getting accepted into the university was the easy part for Parker. The visa application process was the opposite. Within the process, there were numerous ways of vetting and validating documents.

“I had to make all my social media accounts public and send them the links to my accounts,” Parker said in his noticeable Australian accent. “Provided plenty of official documents such as birth certificate, passport, immunization history and more.”

The process itself can take months from the application to the vetting process to the interview. On top of that, the students must plan a move that isn’t determined yet.

“It made me consider back up plans, hence why I had an acceptance to university back home just in case things fell through with the visa,” Parker said.

After arriving in Ohio, both students noted some cultural differences in the educational system and throughout daily life. For instance, Singery had noticed a difference in attitudes and sociability compared to what she had seen in movies and shows about America.

Parker had acknowledged the differences in academics, even jokingly noting, “Professors seem to call anything an exam.”

With Singery being in her junior year, graduation is approaching, and she is looking to get into an internship in the following year. The proposed elimination of duration of status may throw a wrench in her plans, limiting her to only four years abroad.

She could apply for an extension on her visa, but that comes with its own challenges. Since the change has not been finalized, there is not an arranged fee associated with the extension. It is a possibility that an extension could be as much as the original fees, adding up to thousands of dollars for students from certain countries.

The extension process could take up to 18 months in the aftermath of the government shutdown and the visa freeze that was in effect from May through June of 2025, having increased the backlog of interviews and limiting the acceptance rate. Singery understands this may change her plans, but she has been grateful for the turbulent ordeal, nonetheless.

“Even if I could only stay for the four years, I think the experience itself would still be worth it. It’s taught me independence, adaptability, and so much about different people and about myself.”

Though it is a stressful and overwhelming process, both Parker and Singery have enjoyed their experience while at Wittenberg University and have hope for the future of their international endeavors.