International students weigh in on hurdles and successes of studying in the US

Gloria broke down in sobs when she first learned how much tuition would be at a New York university.

Being from Ecuador, she wouldn’t qualify for federal financial aid or subsidized loans.

It meant she had to take on multiple jobs— including even illegally, to make ends meet, she said — because international students aren’t allowed to work more than 20 hours a week during the school year, and only on campus.

Still, Gloria, who asked that her full name not be used, persevered. Today, she is getting ready to graduate from a US law school. 

For many international students, going to college in the US is a lifelong dream. But overcoming all kinds of hurdles can be difficult.

Nevertheless, The World spoke to a number of students like Gloria, who are carving their own pathways to pursue higher education in the US. Here are a few of their stories below, in their own words.

Gloria, from Ecuador 

Click to listen to the audio from Gloria above.

Ayeyi Asamoah-Manu, from Ghana 

When Ghana-born Ayeyi Asamoah-Manu tried to get a US student visa, he was told it would take two years to even get an interview with a consular official.

With classes soon starting at the University of Michigan, he traveled to South Africa and then to Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), finally securing an F-1 visa.

Now nearing graduation, Asamoah-Manu said everything after that has been smooth sailing.

Click to listen to the audio from Ayeyi Asamoah-Manu above.

Leran Zhao, from China

Leran Zhao, who hails from a rural part of Shaodong, China, dreamed of attending the University of California, Berkeley. But, like an increasing number of international students, he wound up going to a community college for the first two years and then transferring schools.

Zhao, who will graduate from Berkeley this year, estimates he saved his family $120,000.

Click to listen to the audio from Leran Zhao above.