Education

Job seeker Johannes Oveida looks over a brochure at a job fair at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, March 7, 2024. 

Open secret: Some international students in the US are going hungry

Community colleges are an attractive option for international students, in part, because they’re a fraction of the cost of four-year universities. But higher nonresident tuition fees, ineligibility for state or federal aid and limited options for work can still generate sticker shock for people when they arrive in the US.

Open secret: Some international students in the US are going hungry
a student stands with her arms crossed in front of a domed building on MIT's campus

On campus, Jewish and Muslim students fear for their safety

On campus, Jewish and Muslim students fear for their safety
From left, students Shakked Klein, Nearodey Chhoem, Angelina Hadad, Nico Ben Jacob and Chidinma Okoli. About half the students at Givat Haviva come from abroad.

This school in Israel is opening dialogue among its Jewish, Arab and international students

This school in Israel is opening dialogue among its Jewish, Arab and international students
These students are in a classroom within Kharkiv's underground school system, which launched to protect students from Russian attacks in a city by the frontlines.

These Ukrainian students attend an underground school to protect them from Russian strikes

These Ukrainian students attend an underground school to protect them from Russian strikes
US dollars are now commonly used by businesses in Venezuela. The informal adoption of the dollar has helped to decrease inflation and product shortages.

Venezuela’s public sector workers take on multiple side jobs just to get by

Venezuela’s public sector workers take on multiple side jobs just to get by
A young woman with duck tape over her mouth that says "Feed Me Opportunity"

University of California votes to not allow undocumented students to work on campus, for now

Undocumented students have been lobbying the University of California for the right to work legally on campus for more than a year. They argue that the UC's 4,000 students who are not US citizens still need a way to earn a paycheck and get the same kind of academic work experiences that their peers do. But, federal immigration law prohibits hiring anyone without work authorization. And last week, UC regents voted against changing hiring rules. From San Francisco, KQED's Madi Bolaños reports.

University of California votes to not allow undocumented students to work on campus, for now
A gate opened from a tall brick archway on a college campus

Professors fear creeping authoritarianism in academia amid Harvard fallout

Following the resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay, some professors warn that political encroachment in academia is a sign of the times — and rising authoritarianism. GBH's Kirk Carapezza reports.

Professors fear creeping authoritarianism in academia amid Harvard fallout
The US Embassy in Delhi, India, where visas are processed for Indian nationals to work and study in the United States. 

Visa delays dash 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities for students, workers in India

Getting visas to travel to the US has never been easy for people of certain nationalities. But pandemic closures made visa processing delays extend to a year or more. Now consulates are staffed up again, but as Sushmita Pathak reports from New Delhi, substantial delays remain because of large numbers of visa applicants.

Visa delays dash 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities for students, workers in India
Photo of a webpage of the University of the People home site

‘University of the People’ offers tuition-free degrees for marginalized students across the globe

The University of the People bills itself as the first nonprofit, tuition-free, American-accredited online university. Thanks to technological developments and the acceptance of online learning, the nature of higher education is changing fast. But are the university's 137,000 students from more than 200 countries, including the US, getting a quality education? Emily Haavik reports on how the university works.

‘University of the People’ offers tuition-free degrees for marginalized students across the globe
College students wearing bear costumes

College football hype can be lost in translation for international students

If you're not from the US, football and its traditions can be bewildering. To help their international students, many universities now offer a crash course in the rules, scoring and, of course, fight songs. Shannon Young reports from football-crazed Boulder, Colorado, that the classes aren't just to help international students understand football but American culture.

College football hype can be lost in translation for international students
Two girls holding paper signs that say "Education is our right"

Afghan student struggles with adjusting to life in the US

Many women saw no future for themselves in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over. So, when offered a chance to leave, many took it. Reporter Rebecca Rosman meets a young Afghan student. Unfortunately, her temporary status in the US is a constant shadow, as she can't go home again.

Afghan student struggles with adjusting to life in the US
Children all over a colorful classroom

This Massachusetts school district focuses on the well-being of homeless immigrant students

Massachusetts is seeing the arrival of more migrants, and many of them have no place to live. Because it's a "right to shelter" state, officials are providing temporary housing, often in hotels. New England Public Media's Jill Kaufman reports that school districts, such as West Springfield, have geared up to help the new arrivals.

This Massachusetts school district focuses on the well-being of homeless immigrant students
College campus with large yellow block letters that spell out C-E-T-Y-S

Hundreds of US students cross the border daily to attend college in Tijuana

Thousands of students in Mexico commute daily to attend school in the U.S. But there are also those who travel each day in the opposite direction. Over the past few years, Centro de Ensenanza Tecnica y Superior (CETYS) in Tijuana has worked hard to appeal to students north of the border. Today, residents in the US make up 10% of the university's population.

Hundreds of US students cross the border daily to attend college in Tijuana
Students walk through a gate at Harvard University, Thursday, June 29, 2023, in Cambridge, Mass.

Colleges struggle to balance free speech, international politics and public safety amid Israel-Hamas conflict

US colleges and universities are grappling with divisive international issues while pledging to create spaces for free expression

Colleges struggle to balance free speech, international politics and public safety amid Israel-Hamas conflict
Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana campus is currently home to about 400 students affected by natural disasters and other crises.

30 years after a devastating earthquake, this school in India continues a legacy of support for survivors

Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana's educational rehabilitation school in Pune, India, was founded to support the complex needs of students who have experienced natural disasters and other traumatic crises. The school hopes to be a model for disaster relief around the world.

30 years after a devastating earthquake, this school in India continues a legacy of support for survivors