Xiao Chen, a Chinese student hoping to study communications in Michigan, visited the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai only to find her visa application rejected with no explanation. "I feel like a drifting duckweed tossed in wind and storm," she reflected on the sudden reversal of her hopes. The decision comes in the wake of the U.S. government's aggressive stance aimed at withdrawing student visas for those tied to the Chinese Communist Party or key educational fields, fuelling fears among the 280,000 Chinese students in American universities.
As tensions between the U.S. and China escalate, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has accused Harvard University of colluding with the Chinese government, leading to broader scrutiny of Chinese nationals in educational contexts. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have swiftly denounced these actions as politically motivated. Once the largest group of international students in the U.S., the number of Chinese students has sharply declined as geopolitical rifts broaden.
Under former President Trump's tenure, an executive order restricted visas for Chinese academics with military links, a policy that remains ambiguous under President Biden, leading to fears of visa cancellations at border checkpoints. One unnamed student shared his frustration after being denied entry despite having a post-doctoral position at Harvard due to unwarranted assumptions about his research's ties to the military.
As more prospective Chinese students face rejections and difficulties in obtaining admissions, the atmosphere has turned increasingly hostile. Mr. Cao, a psychology graduate aiming for PhD programs, has struggled to receive offers, citing biases against Chinese applicants. He described himself as a "grain of sand under the wheel of time," feeling powerless against the circumstances.
Graduates returning to China also face challenges as their foreign degrees become less appealing in the job market amidst rising suspicions of foreign espionage. One graduate recounted struggles securing jobs, realizing that locally obtained degrees are preferred over those from abroad. The shift in perception is notable as Chinese society grows more wary of international connections.
In a newly hostile environment, some recent graduates like Zhang Ni have been shocked by the increasingly insular attitudes towards foreign ideas and influences. With previous generations encouraged to engage with the international community, the current zeitgeist cautions against such interactions. The widespread unease stemming from this geopolitical schism is leaving many students feeling like pawns caught in a larger game of power and rivalry.
As tensions between the U.S. and China escalate, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has accused Harvard University of colluding with the Chinese government, leading to broader scrutiny of Chinese nationals in educational contexts. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have swiftly denounced these actions as politically motivated. Once the largest group of international students in the U.S., the number of Chinese students has sharply declined as geopolitical rifts broaden.
Under former President Trump's tenure, an executive order restricted visas for Chinese academics with military links, a policy that remains ambiguous under President Biden, leading to fears of visa cancellations at border checkpoints. One unnamed student shared his frustration after being denied entry despite having a post-doctoral position at Harvard due to unwarranted assumptions about his research's ties to the military.
As more prospective Chinese students face rejections and difficulties in obtaining admissions, the atmosphere has turned increasingly hostile. Mr. Cao, a psychology graduate aiming for PhD programs, has struggled to receive offers, citing biases against Chinese applicants. He described himself as a "grain of sand under the wheel of time," feeling powerless against the circumstances.
Graduates returning to China also face challenges as their foreign degrees become less appealing in the job market amidst rising suspicions of foreign espionage. One graduate recounted struggles securing jobs, realizing that locally obtained degrees are preferred over those from abroad. The shift in perception is notable as Chinese society grows more wary of international connections.
In a newly hostile environment, some recent graduates like Zhang Ni have been shocked by the increasingly insular attitudes towards foreign ideas and influences. With previous generations encouraged to engage with the international community, the current zeitgeist cautions against such interactions. The widespread unease stemming from this geopolitical schism is leaving many students feeling like pawns caught in a larger game of power and rivalry.
