When the universities all around the world had to abruptly shut down because of the wide-spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, many students were asked to leave their college and head home. Often with only a few days’ notice they did what they were asked unsure of what was going to happen with their educational and social life. Despite the hardships the pandemic brought on all students, this sudden closure of universities took a greater toll on international students that left their countries to come and get an education in the United States. Stranded in a foreign country undergoing a lockdown, they were faced with a different set of challenges.

Housing Difficulties

Before the pandemic, most of them had been living in their college dorms, but after the breakout, they were left with no choice but to find other housing alternatives as the colleges were being closed down. Knowing that this crisis doesn’t have a due date, they didn’t know whether they should go back to their countries or stay in the US. While some managed to move when the borders were still opened, some were stuck here due to many factors. Some were afraid that they would get stuck in airports because of many countries closing their borders, some couldn’t afford a ticket, and some weren’t sure whether they could fully commit to their online studies due to different time zones.

While some of them may come from families that can afford to pay for their housing, many are struggling to find a solution as their families can’t help them financially anymore. Due to these monetary issues, a substantial number of them had to turn for help to their relatives in the country. Even if they did accommodate temporarily at their relatives’ homes, most of them are afraid that they’ll overstay their welcome as they don’t know how much this is going to last. Even if they didn’t have relatives to help them, there are international students that have been assisted by their friends’ families.

Financial Struggles

A significant number of students are going through a financial crisis, too, during this pandemic. Their visa restrictions prevent them from having a job outside the campus. Those that couldn’t get help from their families inside and outside the country had to turn to food banks for help.

Continuing Their Education in the USA

International students are confronting yet another issue during this difficult time. They’re afraid they won’t get to continue their studies in the US. This fear roots from the fact that some of them won’t be able to afford the tuition, while some may find it difficult to return to the US in the fall to complete their studies once they move to their home country due to border restrictions and financial issues.

Mental Health

The uncertainty that is characterizing this whole pandemic situation is also affecting the students’ mental state. While the uncertainty has taken the reins, many international students are left to deal with their issues alone far from family and friends. Not knowing whether they can pursue or complete their studies and also not knowing if they can find the money to pay the tuition, rent and other expenses students have is contributing to their mental state decline. On the other hand, the concern of them or their families back home catching the virus is a whole other problem. Many international students find themselves worrying about the health state of their families back home. They’re heartbroken over the fact that they can’t be of help to them during this health crisis.

The Covid-19 crisis has impacted international students on many levels, from the educational and financial level to the mental health one. While some have managed to find solutions to their problems, some are still struggling. While we still don’t know how long this situation will last, we encourage all students to be strong and hang in there. We’re going to make it.

Diana Bajraktari is a writing enthusiast and loves to write about topics that tackle educational issues. As a former student herself, she spends most of her time writing about student experiences and personal development. She hopes that through her writing, she’ll be able to help students to get the most out of their studies. Currently, she’s writing for the University of the Potomac blog.