Compass: International Profile | Pandemic Edition (Spring 2021)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES: PANDEMIC STORIES

BY ROBYN ROJAS The pandemic presented unique challenges for people all over the world, and international students studying in the U.S. were no exception. In fact, international students were disproportionately affected compared to their domestic peers. They were thousands of miles away from their families and in many cases weren’t able to go home during summer and winter breaks due to canceled flights, closed borders and the inability to renew expired visas due to U.S. consulate closures around the world. Coupled with uncertainties surrounding how they would maintain federally mandated physical presence enrollment requirements when classes were moving online, international students were under the most tremendous pressure they had ever been.

Throughout 2020, ISS faced various challenges trying to advise its students amidst last-minute immigration policy changes and conflicting information from different federal agencies. It was by far the most challenging year for the field of international student immigration advising on record. The ISS International Student Programs team also faced new challenges trying to provide meaningful ways to connect with international students, a critical need that was complicated by necessary social distancing measures.

Addressing these unique challenges required an all-hands-on-deck approach, and ISS staff and CIS leadership collaborated closely with campus departments including Housing, Student Affairs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Graduate College. These efforts included advocating for affordable on-campus housing options for international students over summer break, assisting Housing with the fall semester quarantine and testing process for newly arriving and returning international students, connecting international students to a free holiday meal, and providing selfcare packages and various programming events and trips to local supermarkets over the extended winter break. Never before had all of campus come together so quickly and with such commitment for international students, and it was truly inspiring.

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