You’re a young student and your visa is tied to your parents. You’re about to age out. What do you do next?

In this cartoon, a frowning boy in a pointed birthday hat sits in front of a cake with '21' written on it.

View full interactive.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!