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Patrick Thaw experienced a bittersweet moment seeing his friends from the University of Michigan for the first time since the end of his sophomore year. They were starting a new semester in Ann Arbor, and he caught up with them via FaceTime from half a world away in Singapore.
Last June, while interviewing to renew his U.S. student visa, Patrick Thaw’s world was suddenly turned upside down by President Donald Trump’s travel ban. The restrictions target people from 12 countries, including Thaw’s native Myanmar.
“Had I known it would be this serious, I never would have left the United States,” he said of his decision to leave Michigan for a summer internship in Singapore.
The ban is one of several ways the Trump administration is making life more difficult for international students in their first year back in the United States. White Houseincluding the suspension of visa appointments and additional scrutiny, has led to a drop in the number of first-time foreign students enrolling. Freshmen have to look elsewhere, but for those like Shaw already well into their American college careers, these obstacles make life especially complicated.
University Sarah Spreitzer, assistant vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education, said schools must come up with increasingly flexible solutions, such as reverting to pandemic-era remote learning arrangements or offering admission to international campuses with which they partner.
In Shaw’s case, a Michigan administrator emphasized studying abroad as an option. As long as the travel ban is in effect, a plan will Australia It seemed feasible—at least at first.
Meanwhile, Thaw doesn’t have much to do in Singapore but wait. He made friends, but they were busy with school or work. After his internship ended, he passed the time by checking email, taking walks, and eating out.
“Mentally, I’m back ann arbor”, said the 21-year-old, “But physically, I am stuck in Singapore. “
When Shaw arrived in Ann Arbor in 2023, he immersed himself in campus life. He immediately became involved with a group of his roommate’s friends who went to high school together and lived about an hour away from us. He majored in neuroscience and also joined the biology fraternity and Alzheimer’s diseaseof research laboratories.
His curiosity led him to explore a variety of courses, including Jewish studies courses. Professor Cara Rock-Singer said Shaw told her his interest stemmed from reading Philip Roth.
“I really try to make this a place where everyone not only feels comfortable, but wants to contribute,” the Rocker said. “But Patrick doesn’t need a push. He’s always out there thinking and taking risks.”
When Thaw landed a clinical research internship at the Singapore Medical College, it felt like another step toward success.
He heard speculation that the Trump administration might impose travel restrictions, but that was just an afterthought — he said he even joked about it with friends before heading out.
A travel ban was subsequently announced.
Shaw’s dream of an American college had been brewing, but was derailed — at least for now — by a trip abroad. He was stuck in Singapore, unable to sleep, with one question on his mind: “Why are you here?”
As a child, Thaw’s goal was to attend an American university. This desire became even more urgent as higher education opportunities declined after the outbreak of the Civil War. Myanmar.
The atmosphere was tense for a while, with Xiao and his mother taking turns keeping watch to make sure the bamboo in the front yard didn’t catch fire from Molotov cocktails. Once, he said, he was late for an algebra exam because a bomb exploded in front of his house.
So when he was admitted University of Michigan After applying to colleges “around the clock”, Shaw was delighted.
“The moment I set foot in America, I thought, this is it,” Shaw said. “This is where I start my new life.”
One of his friends, Allison Voto, said that when Thao talked about life in Myanmar, it often sparked deep conversations. She said he was one of the first people she met who had a background very different from hers, and it gave her “a lot more understanding of the world.”
In the 2024-25 academic year, the United States will host nearly 1.2 million international students. As of summer 2024, more than 1,400 Myanmar nationals hold U.S. student visas, making it one of the countries most affected by the travel ban.
A Michigan official said the school recognizes the challenges some international students face and is committed to ensuring they have all the supports and options the school can offer. The university declined to comment specifically on the circumstances of the thaw.
While the study abroad program in Australia gave Thorne some hope that he could continue attending the University of Michigan, the uncertainty of the travel ban and visa hurdles ultimately led to his decision to give up.
He left Burma to pursue an education and it was time to finish what he started, which meant moving on.
“I can’t just wait for the travel ban to be over and lifted and then go back because it’s going to be an indefinite period of time,” he said.
He started applying to universities outside the United States and received an admission letter from an Australian school. Canada. He attended with high hopes University of Torontowhich would make it only a four-hour drive for his friends in Ann Arbor to visit him.
“If he came anywhere near me, basically on the North American continent, I would go see him,” Votto said. Votto’s recent friendship with Shaw was evident through their text conversations throughout the day. “I mean, he’s Patrick, you know? It’s definitely worth it.”