As the United States endures another election year, it’s important to recognize the unique situation faced by international college students studying in this country. Students from other countries face mental health challenges related not only to cultural and academic challenges, but also to the complex political landscape and the outcomes of an election in which they can’t vote.
National and international affairs have a profound effect on international students; After the Trump administration, COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Presidential Election, the enrollment of international students dropped to its lowest since the 2013-2014 academic year, pairing stress and anxiety to be experienced by international students. While we are no longer in the midst of a pandemic, 2024 brings imperative similarities to 2020, including another presidential election and more mental health implications.
Many cultures of international students in this country, and at Columbia College, have been targeted by previous presidents and current candidates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, inching closer to the 2020 Presidential Election, the Trump administration planned a purge of international students, enforced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), putting hundreds of thousands of international students at risk of being abandoned in a foreign country. International students at Columbia were negatively affected by this act, though they had no say in the situation or the administration enforcing it.
As of the 2022-2023 academic year, enrollment of international students in the United States totaled 1,057,188 students This was a 7.7% increase from the 2021-2022 year, and a 26.5% increase from the 2020-2021 year. International students are a significant and growing population in the United States, making their presence and well-being of importance for colleges and universities.
The threat of a new era of the Trump administration is also cause for concern for these students. In an interview with Director, Clare Lake, of the International Student and Scholar Services at Columbia, said, “there are students who want to stay here, and would like to live and work here and contribute to our society, but I think if the Trump administration is elected, it’s going to be much more difficult, so I’m sure students will worry a little bit about that.”
International students may also feel isolated and marginalized with the threat of a new presidential administration, unable to fully participate. This can cause detachment and increase feelings of alienation, heightened anxiety and depression. International student Kate Larroder, 20, of the Philippines, explained that she knew she would be unable to vote when she moved to the United States to attend Columbia. “Still, it felt like I lost my voice,” she said. “I just hope there was a way for us, ineligible voters, to participate in the election process since we are also residents of the country affected by the policies and the laws implemented.”
Furthermore, the practicalities of political policy and decisions can have extreme consequences for international students’ mental health and well-being. With the potential for a new candidate, Donald Trump, to be elected over incumbent Joe Biden, there is uncertainty surrounding immigration policy, changes to visa regulations or possible deportation, all of which the Trump administration enforced after the 2016 presidential election. This created a sense of insecurity for students then and now, as international students worry about their ability to continue their studies, remain employed or live in the country legally, adding more layers of stress to their academic and personal lives.
It is imperative for colleges, including Columbia, to prioritize the mental health of international students, especially during an election year. International students at Columbia have access to 12 counseling sessions per academic year, as well as programs and organizations on campus specific to them. However, this may not be enough to help them feel supported. Colleges should do more to be aware and support the challenges international students are facing.
This should include providing culturally sensitive mental health services by professionals who are familiar with international students’ struggles, increasing access to these mental health services, and ensuring campus environments are inclusive. Colleges can also provide information regarding the election, potential changes to visa status, and a learning environment for the political atmosphere to come. More so, colleges can work to educate and promote understanding and empathy.
Policymakers should also recognize their effects on international students and address their needs, especially regarding immigration policies. Legislation that promotes inclusivity and support for immigrants will alleviate stress experienced by international students, allowing a healthier environment for all.
The mental health implications for international college students during an election year in the United States are complex to say the least. Through the acknowledgement of international students’ challenges and taking steps to create a more supportive environment for them, Columbia, other colleges and policymakers can ensure that students have the resources they need to thrive academically and psychologically.
Though they are unable to vote, international students are still affected by U.S. policy. Our “one nation,” “indivisible,” can be characterized by intense debate and rhetoric, increasing divisiveness, and is incredibly overwhelming for those unfamiliar with American politics, especially in an environment where the candidates from the 2020 election are facing each other once again.
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