A Message to International Students in the USA: Hang in There
Recent news about many international student visas being revoked by the current U.S. administration has been deeply discouraging. As someone who created this blog to support students who dream of studying in the USA, I understand how heartbreaking this moment is. Honestly, my motivation to keep writing has taken a hit.
But we must stay strong. Please hang in there, and keep working hard. Many of us—myself included—still believe the situation will turn around. We just need to be patient and open our minds, especially to understanding rural America, which is often overlooked.
The Hardest—and Most Important—Time
This is the hardest time I’ve experienced living in the United States. But strangely, it might also be the most important. It’s a time to stop thinking only about ourselves and to begin understanding others—especially those who live in different parts of this country.
I read a powerful book titled Educated by Tara Westover during the Pandemic. It’s beautifully written and made me feel like I had time-traveled. But the truth is, the book isn’t about the past. It’s about what’s happening now in many parts of rural America.
Please read Educated. It will help you see what life is really like in areas outside of cities like New York. Many people in rural America are struggling financially and don’t have access to the same opportunities.
My Life in Manhattan: A Different Perspective
I teach piano in Manhattan. Surprisingly, nearly all the parents of my students are from outside the United States—places like Canada, England, France, and Germany. Even the white students – many are Jewish people.
Most of these parents have Ph.D.s. Their children are exceptionally bright and well-supported financially. These kids have access to the best resources and opportunities that New York City has to offer.
For a long time, I considered myself very liberal—probably because I graduated from one of the most liberal schools in New York. But during the pandemic, I began to see that there’s so much we don’t know, even when we think we’re highly educated. That kind of confidence can be dangerous.
To International Students: Stay Strong
No matter how uncertain things may feel right now—especially with your visa status—please don’t lose hope. Keep studying. Keep preparing for the TOEFL. Take it again if you need to, and aim for a score above 100.
Your efforts are never wasted. A high TOEFL score isn’t just for getting into school—it can also help you when applying for jobs or graduate programs. It’s a valuable step toward your future.
I’m actually studying for the TOEFL again myself. I’m choosing to take this situation positively, because I’ve realized my English still needs improvement—and that’s okay. I live in the U.S. now, and it’s only natural that I should be proficient in English.
It’s just like how we expect people in Japan to speak Japanese, right? The same idea applies here.
We’re in this together. Keep going. You’ve got this.
Try Meditation: Anicca – Nothing Is Permanent
In times like these, I strongly recommend meditation. I practice Vipassana Meditation, and one of its core teachings is Anicca—the idea that nothing is permanent. This difficult time will end. Everything changes. That’s the law of nature.
maegami
Stay focused. Stay hopeful. You are not alone.
— From New York, with love
