COVID-19 & International Students at the 5C’s

Video 1: COVID-19 and International Students’ Job Prospects

In this video, we hear from a number of international students at the 5C’s who tell us about their dwindling job prospects in light of the Coronavirus pandemic. A common theme is that getting jobs has become harder due to the economic downturn, which is a harsh reality for everyone, but this impacts international students uniquely as recent graduates may have their visa status revoked if they do not find a job within 90 days of their visa start date.

International students are typically at a disadvantage from the get go when it comes to getting jobs in the United States. This is because many companies (big and small) don’t sponsor work visas, and many do not have an understanding of how the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization visa works.

The main issue here is that the OPT visa allows only 90 days of unemployment, which means that if a student has requested a start date of June 1st, they have until September 1st to find a job and start working, or their visa will no longer be valid. Since most non-essential functions have been cut, Annette, who was applying to internships and entry-level jobs in entertainment, has said that she will probably have to go home to Hong Kong, as employment seems unlikely right now. A lot of companies have frozen their hiring processes, making it even more difficult for international students to find jobs.

As Tanya, and Vikramaditya mentioned, they were in the process of speaking with companies, but have not heard from them since the economy took a downturn. For Bandar, 80% of the companies he was applying to are in a job freeze. In Aaryaman’s case, his job offer was rescinded, requiring him to start recruiting all over again, with less time than ever. Rachel, on the other hand, is at home in Singapore, and is wondering whether she should even continue applying to jobs in America, as so many people have lost their jobs, and it seems unfair to take a job in this scenario. Lastly, as Vikramaditya mentions, companies are not looking to sponsor international students right now, as they come with the headache of additional paperwork, and immigration documentation. At a time where everyone is scrambling to stay safe and save money, international students have become an expendable resource.

A LIST OF COMPANIES’ up to date HIRING POLICIES

Video 2: COVID-19 and International Students Away from Home

In this video, international students at the 5C’s talk about the various reasons they decided to stay in the United States, and as a consequence do not know when they will go home next. The risk of losing one’s visa status looms large, as students are worried about being unable to reenter the country without the proper documentation.

During their four years as undergraduates, international students are on the F-1 visa status, which allows them to reenter the country after foreign travel. However, once they graduate, they are no longer on the F-1 status, and will be on the Optional Practical training (OPT) visa status once they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. During the period between graduation and when their OPT application is approved, it is not advised to leave the country, as they will need their EAD card to reenter. This card can only be mailed to an address in the United States, so if they are abroad, they will need a friend or family member to mail it to them internationally. This is one of the primary reasons that International Centers have advised their students to stay in the United States if possible, in order to minimize the risk of being unable to reenter and losing their visa status.

Another important reason for students to stay in the United States are the dynamic and ever-changing travel restrictions. On March 18th, India banned all international flights, except cargo, and it is unknown when this ban will be lifted. Similarly, Pakistan also banned all international travel from March 21st onwards, which is the main reason that Laleh decided to stay on campus. She was unable to fly home when her grandfather passed away, which under normal circumstances would have been possible. In Victoria’s case, she chose to stay as she didn’t know if she would be able to return in the case that the U.A.E was put on high alert, thereby risking her visa status. 

If students left the States because they wanted to go home, they do not know when they will be able to return, or when international flights will operate regularly again. In Hazal’s case, she had applied for her H-1B visa, which means that leaving the country is the same as if she were to withdraw her application. Now, she does not think she will be returning to Istanbul for the next year. Tulika, too, chose to stay and wait until she received her EAD card, but by the time she received it, India closed its borders, leaving her with no option but to stay in the U.S. Timur is currently staying at the Senior Apartments on the CMC campus, and his start date is not until July. He does not know where he will go when the semester ends on May 16th. He is left finding a job and housing under a time constraint, and with no source of income to support him.

Other students who have gone home, don’t know when their EAD cards will arrive, as international shipping has stopped in many countries. These students may have jobs in the States, and don’t know if they’ll be able to reenter the country in time for their start date. Others, who don’t have jobs, are actively recruiting, but cannot accurately tell potential employers when they will realistically be able to enter the country and start working.

- Gauri Taneja

Gauri is a Senior at Claremont McKenna College from New Delhi, India, majoring in Economics and Literature. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and discovering new places to eat!