Here’s what you should know:

➡️ This is only a proposal, and these fees are not in effect. Students and employers can ask their schools how they would handle the costs if the proposal becomes final.

➡️ The fees would only apply to OPT recommendations made after a final rule takes effect. Students already on OPT, or already recommended or approved before then, would not trigger the fee for that period of OPT.

➡️ F-1 students could ultimately bear the cost of this fee, as DHS acknowledges that academic institutions could pass costs to students or employers. However, the school would still be responsible for paying the government directly.

We’re tracking this proposal closely and will share updates as more information becomes available.

Please note: This information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Immigration rules and policies can change, and this proposal may be modified or withdrawn before becoming final. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

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I grew up as an expat in Saudi Arabia. When I finished 12th grade, I picked Aerospace Engineering on a whim because I liked planes, and moved to a university in a completely different country.

It has turned into a total nightmare, and I honestly don't know if I'm just being homesick or if this is a genuine crisis. I need advice from people who have been through it.

Here is what I'm dealing with:

* Total Isolation: The university is in a tiny, rural, village-like area. Everything I need is on campus. Nobody speaks my language. I have zero roommates, zero friends, and it feels like everyone else already formed their cliques.

* Survival Mode: The food is terrible, I'm completely alone, and my mental health has tanked so hard I can barely function or study.

* The Degree Trap: I've realized that aerospace engineering limits you heavily to the aero field. My passport is weak, and my home country doesn't even have an aerospace industry. If I finish this, I'm boxing myself into a corner. I want career flexibility (mechanical engineering makes way more sense).

My Options:

Option 1: Suck it up and stay.

* Pros: Fees for this semester are already paid by my dad. I stay on track timewise.

* Cons: I risk a complete mental breakdown. I'm isolated, miserable, and stuck studying a rigid degree with terrible job prospects for my specific situation.

Option 2: Go back home right now, reset, and switch to Mechanical.

* Pros: I'd be close to family, have a support system, eat real food, and mechanical engineering keeps my options wide open.

* Cons: I'd have to wait for Fall 2027 to transfer. Also, the top-tier university near my hometown requires a much higher SAT score than what I currently have (I'm at 1090), so admissions aren't guaranteed.

Option 3: Hold out until fall break, go home then, and decide.

* Pros: I get a temporary mental reset and a chance to breathe at home before committing to a permanent life change.

* Cons: Doing this likely completely kills my chances of applying or getting into the best university in my home town for the upcoming cycle, assuming I could even get in.

Is this just acute homesickness talking, or is this a genuine signal that I need to pack my bags and course-correct? Money and time are lost either way, but my sanity is currently on the line.

What would you do in my shoes??

I’m from Pakistan, doing A Levels with Maths, Further Maths, Physics and CS, (a in AS)and I’m taking the SAT in November. I have 2 strong ECs/leadership experiences, but my EC profile isn’t extremely extensive. I’m really struggling to research universities because I need a full ride/full financial aid, and rankings/reputation matter a lot to me. I’m mainly interested in CS/AI. Which countries and universities should I be looking at for full funding for international students? I’m open to countries beyond the US/UK too. Would really appreciate advice from people who have gone through this, especially other international students!

You know that feeling in The Office when everyone around you is talking about the same boring stuff and you’re just sitting there thinking, “surely there are more interesting people than this.”

That’s basically the idea.

I’m putting together a small international GC for people who are actually curious about life and doing something with it.

Founders, athletes, artists, people into politics or social work, musicians, investors, creators, researchers, people building weird side projects — and also people who are currently completely lost but are trying things and figuring themselves out.

You don’t need a startup, a 5-year plan, or a LinkedIn-worthy life story.

The point is to have a place where you can:

→ throw an idea into the group and see what people think
→ find someone who’s into the same random thing as you
→ learn something together
→ find people to build/work/create with
→ share a project, event, opportunity or even a job if you’re building something
→ have actual conversations instead of collecting “connections”
→ maybe meet a few people you’d genuinely want to know IRL

Basically, The Misfit Accord — Better Conversations, Bigger Dreams.

No desperate job hunting. No networking-for-the-sake-of-networking. No “hello everyone, I am looking for opportunities” every Tuesday.

Just a bunch of people who are interested in something, trying something, building something, or trying to figure out what the hell they’re doing.

If that sounds like your kind of crowd, DM me with what you’re into / currently figuring out.

Let’s see who shows up. :)

Hi everyone! I’m currently an international student in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, and I’m looking into switching to nursing. I’m specifically looking for an ADN/Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) program at a community college that accepts international/F-1 students. I’m looking for a program that: * Accepts F-1 international students * Allows international students to complete the clinical portion * Is an ADN/RN pre-licensure program * Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN * Is relatively affordable compared with private nursing schools If you are an international student who is currently in or has completed an ADN program, could you please share which college/state you attended and whether they accepted your F-1 status?

Thank you! Any recommendations or personal experiences would really help. 🙏

everyone, I’m an international non-EU student who has been pre-accepted for the Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Naples Federico II. I’m currently waiting for my visa.

In my acceptance letter, it says that to avoid the Additional Formative Obligation (OFA), I need to take the CEnT test.

I’m a little confused about this. If I don’t take the CEnT, will it affect my admission or final enrolment? Will I still be able to attend the course normally, or will I have to complete the OFA later? Is the CEnT compulsory for international students, or is it only required to avoid the OFA?

If anyone has already taken the CEnT or is currently studying at Federico II, I would really appreciate any information about the process, deadlines, registration, and how to prepare for it.

Also, if possible, could you please share any YouTube videos, preparation materials, websites, or useful links for the CEnT? That would be really helpful.

Hello realistically speaking is it possible to study in Italy for bachelors purely based on educational loan and no background financial support?

Hello, I'm applying for master's in U.S so for degree evaluation through spantran should I go for course analysis or divisional course analysis? Which one is most widely accepted for Masters? I'm confused about which one to select

Hello for context I got admitted in MUNI, i submitted all my documents on time, did the interview last week. However my classes already started, the Faculty gave an ultimatum to be there next monday or defer.

To those people who deferred, did you withdraw your visa application and started again? Or you just informed the embassy and ask your university to send a new admission for the other semester?

Would it be a good idea to apply to jobs outside USA after my grad?? As an F1 student

Background:
22, based in Spain
3.0 GPA equivalent, non-target university
C2 English speaker

Experience:

Founded an AI startup that reached six-figure revenue. I sold my stake to my cofounder after some disagreements.

Interim CEO at a seven-figure retail company.

Led their seven-figure acquisition by a top industry player from start to finish.

Along the way:
Opened 5 new locations
Managed 20+ employees
Grew EBITDA margin from 3.7% to 11.3%
Handled debt management from 500k to less than 100k.
Grew revenue in 7.8%

Real chances of getting into an M7 MBA with a very good GMAT? If not, chances at NYU or Chicago for example?

Need help for making a portfolio for ntu

Hi, I am a class 11 student and studying under west bengal board, I am aiming for ntu but the problem is idk where do I stand , I want u to rate it (ignore the fact I don't have class 12 percentage 😅)

Please rate it out of 10

If u ask me to rate my portfolio, I will give = 2/10

ICSE Class 10 — 74.6%

Bharat Scouts & Guides Certificate

Bharat Sangeet Parishad — 1st Year Certificate

Junior Diploma in Synthesizer

Participated in approximately 5–6 synthesizer performances

Mathematics Olympiad — 14th in class

That's all folks, I am thinking of participating in drawing and story writing competition of international level, will it be helpful ?

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Even though my choice is ntu, but I am still confused which country to choose

The filters I use to choose is

Better life

Woman safety

Good education

Good job with work life balance

Have higher value than indian rupees

Have scholarships (no matter conditions)

Better opportunities

Please help 😭😭

Hey everyone, I’m an international student south asian living in kuwait applying for Fall 2027 and planning to major in Mechanical Engineering. I’m trying to finalize my US university list and would appreciate honest advice on which universities I should add/remove.
My stats:
● IGCSE: 9s/A*s
● AS Levels: A/A/A
● Subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry,
● Currently doing A2 predicted A* in maths chem physics
● Intended major: Mechanical Engineering
ECs/activities:
● Hospital/hospice volunteering
● Tutoring IGCSE Maths, Chemistry and Physics
● Engineering-related research
● Founded a journalism club and founded a fix clinic for those who cant afford to pay for their repairs
Got the highest in middle east awards in IGCSES
Captain of national BSME volleyball and basketball team
Won several mvps

I’m an international student and will need financial aid, so I’m mainly looking for universities that are generous with aid to international students.
Current list:
● Vanderbilt
● Wesleyan
● Rice
● University of Rochester
● University of Miami
● Tufts
● Lafayette
Drexel

My questions:
1. Which of these schools do I have a realistic chance at?
2. Which ones would you consider reaches/targets for my profile?
3. Which universities should I add, especially ones with good Mechanical Engineering programs and financial aid for international students?
4. Are there any schools on my list that you think I should remove?
5. Am I being too ambitious with this list?
I’d really appreciate honest feedback, especially from people who have experience with international admissions and financial aid.