Temple University’s Assistant Vice President of International Services, Martyn Miller, spoke to Temple Update from the streets of Dubai, where he addressed the concerns that international students were having with visa delays and university support.
“I would advise any international student who feels that she or he is not receiving sufficient support to speak with me specifically,” Miller said. “This is something that I take personally.”
The university and Miller want students to reach out, but senior international student Arianna Romero said that’s not always as easy as it sounds.
“I’m sure he, as an administrative worker, is doing as much as he can,” Romero said. “But obviously, there’s always room for improvement. This is a conversation that starts here.”
Some international students have expressed concern over their visa status, but Miller said those issues were exaggerated.
“There was no major crisis, and I just need to put that on record,” Miller said. “Yes, there were students who had difficulties getting visas, but a small number relative to the whole. And the difficulties were more related to getting an appointment to apply for the visa rather than actually applying for the visa.”
Romero and a few other students had a different experience. “We’ve all been going through the same fears, the same anxiety,” she said. “And again, I have a lot of respect for him. It’s just these things really didn’t resonate with me.”
Romero’s concern has been about making visa payments from her home country, Peru. Miller said there have been some issues with banking and payments in certain countries, but only one location caused major appointment delays.
“India,” Miller said. “But other than India, there were no major reports of visa appointment issues or even visa application issues.”
Leah Hetzell, Director of International Student Affairs, said that beyond visa concerns, some international students are facing new challenges.
“I also recently just spoke with someone who’s from Afghanistan, and they had a communications blackout at home,” Hetzell said. “That was really scary.”
Hetzell explained to Temple Update that the Office of Global Engagement has seen an increase in students needing support this year.
“If anyone is out there and needs help and support, we are here,” she said. “We are here for students, and our doors are open.
Romero said the visa process remains stressful for many students.
“Going through the whole visa process, if it’s your first time, it’s a very stressful thing to do,” she said. “It’s just really tiring.”
During the last spring semester, several Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) records across the country were mistakenly revoked, but officials said they’ve all since been reinstated to active status. However, one Temple international student affected by the error chose to return home. Overall, international student enrollment is down by almost one percent year over year.
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