International Students & Scholars Overcome Travel-Related Challenges

in Global Matters
October 7th, 2021

Most international students & scholars have successfully made it to campus this fall

The start of the 2021-2022 academic year has been anything but typical as we collectively continue to navigate living through a pandemic. COVID tests and daily attestations are part of daily life now. But the familiar buzz of BU’s dynamic, diverse campus is also back – and it is a welcomed jolt of energy that has been missing for many months.

Many international students and scholars have had to overcome additional pandemic-related challenges to return to campus for their academic pursuits. Constantly changing travel restrictions and fewer visa appointments being available – to name just two hurdles that international students are facing – can add stress to an already nerve-racking situation.

“I had to travel alone for 20 hours from India and had no one to call on if something happened…my parents could not travel with me because of COVID travel restrictions,” says freshman Naga Rithika Roddam. “It added to the stress and anxiety of the whole situation.”

Another student, Parnian “Par” Asgari experienced other travel challenges as she navigated coming to Boston for the first time.

“Because of the country I come from, I had some issues and difficulties getting to Boston,” Asgari says. “I had to stay away from my family almost all summer because I had to quarantine in another country for 17 days before coming to the U.S.”

Like Rithika Roddam, Asgari had to travel alone for 15 hours.

“I came here never having been to Boston before,” Asgari says. “But the ISSO [International Students & Scholars Office] helped me.”

According to the ISSO, most international students have been able to make it to Boston this fall despite the extra obstacles they faced. Generally, each fall about 3,300 new international students check-in, but this fall, we’ve already surpassed that, and BU has nearly 4,500 “new” international students checked-in because so many couldn’t travel to Boston last year.

“We are pleased to welcome most of our international students and scholars back to campus this fall,” says Jeanne Kelley, Managing Director of the International Students & Scholars Office. “They overcame significant visa processing delays and COVID travel restrictions to return to the U.S. and should be congratulated for their perseverance and their commitment to BU!”

Despite the added stress associated with traveling to Boston, many new international students who are a part of BU’s International Peer Mentor (IPM) Program report that the first few weeks on campus have been either what they expected or better than they expected.

The IPM Program assists new international undergraduate students in making a successful academic and personal transition to Boston University, and helps them acquire cultural knowledge, make new friendships, and understand available campus resources. The Program matches new students (“mentees”) with trained current students (“mentors”) based on background, common interests, academics, and professional goals.

“It [the IPM Program] has been excellent,” Rithika Roddam says. “My mentor is also from India, so I could ask her about visas and packing and immigration because she had been through the same things. When I got here, she showed me how to take the T. We also meet every two weeks. It’s been a helpful experience.”

Asgari says she has connected with some clubs on-campus and has found them to be a good way to make friends. “When you find a club or organization that is the right one for you, you will feel more supported and the older students who are in charge of the clubs will help,” she says.

Asgari also noted that she has been pleased with how friendly and helpful students have been. “My roommate didn’t even know me yet, but she and her family helped me,” she says. “They picked me up at the hotel where I was staying and helped me move in.”

The University is proud of all BU students for the big and little ways they are helping each other and fostering an inclusive campus community.