Political uncertainty: Berlin students cancel semester in the USA!

Political uncertainty: Berlin students cancel semester in the USA!

In Berlin and Brandenburg, the political uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration's visa regulations is causing worry lines among students. Many have decided to cancel planned semesters abroad in the USA. Loud rbb24 10 out of 40 students at Humboldt University threw their plans overboard. At the Free University of Berlin, two out of over 40 students dropped out, and at the Technical University of Berlin it affected one out of 29. The reasons lie primarily in increasing personal concerns and uncertain political developments.

The universities are taking a special look at the situation. For example, the University of the Arts has 14 students who are planning a semester abroad in the USA, and there are 17 at the University of Economics and Law. So far, however, no students there have canceled their plans. The UdK recommends its students not to cancel any flights or reservations and to wait, as official announcements from the US government are still pending.

Visa stop and its consequences

The US government under President Donald Trump has decided to fundamentally suspend the student visa procedures. How ZDF reported, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already ordered that no new appointments for F, M and J visas, which are important for students and exchange programs, will be made for the time being. This also affects many German students, between 8,000 and 9,000 of whom are currently studying in the USA every year.

Some universities are directly affected. More than 10 students from the University of Potsdam who wanted to go to the USA in September have to rethink their plans. The University Rectors' Conference has advised you to contact the International Office of your own university directly in order to find individual solutions.

Technical concerns and international cooperation

Experts express concerns about the far-reaching and long-term impact of these measures on international exchange and academic freedom. Matthias Anbuhl, CEO of the German Student Union, emphasizes that science is suffering from uncertainty and calls for clearer conditions for international students. “Germany should present itself as an attractive target country,” said Anbuhl.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is waiting for official statements on the situation and advises people to remain calm. The processes also include stricter social media checks for visa applicants, which are addressed in an internal US State Department memo. The situation could lead to significantly fewer applications being approved as visa procedures resume.

The uncertainty could turn tragic: it is estimated that the US has already lost more than 10% of its international students. President Lambert T. Koch of the German University Association warns of the long-term consequences for the academic landscape and research projects.

In these turbulent times, students, universities and authorities need quick and clear information in order to find the best solution for them. The developments in the coming days will therefore be watched with interest.