Reconsideration by Berlin Students: A Potential Drop in US Semesters Abroad
Students from Berlin Delay Their Semester Abroad in the United States - US Semester Cancellation by Some Berlin Students
Amidst ongoing changes in the American landscape, some Berlin students are questioning their intentions for a semester abroad. A survey by the German Press Agency has shown that 10 out of 40 students at Humboldt University, 2 out of over 40 at the Free University, and 1 out of 29 at the Technical University have decided against studying in the US.
Personal reasons and political uncertainties are driving these decisions. A Humboldt University spokesperson revealed that non-binary individuals express particular uncertainty, while a trans person was the reason for the cancellation at Technical University. At the Free University, the cancellations were due to political concerns.
VisaObstacles Abound
Future semesters at the University of the Arts and the University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Law are still on track, with 14 and 17 students planning to study in the US respectively. There have been no cancellations announced yet.
The Trump administration's intervention in US higher education policy has led to concerns, such as attempts to prevent elite university Harvard from admitting international students and stricter scrutiny for international students and exchange participants. Reports suggest that the US Department of State has directed embassies and consulates to halt visa appointments, potentially revoking visas for Chinese students studying in the US.
Still, students hold out hope for a positive resolution while dealing with a high degree of uncertainty. Affected students have sought advice at various Berlin universities, and some universities have proactively offered counseling. Most students at Free University have not yet obtained a visa.
Universities advise students to avoid cancelling flights or reservations until more concrete information is available, and to keep monitoring developments and staying in touch.
Decreasing Interest in US Sojourns
Universities anticipate a decline in student interest for studying in the US, as evidenced by reduced attendance at events like Technical University's April information session about studying in the US. Although universities are not actively advising against a US stay, the president of the Free University acknowledged that the US government's drastic interventions may cause a generally subpar student experience.
In light of the lingering effects of political developments and visa policies—many perceived as restrictive or unpredictable—students may cautiously reconsider or cancel plans for a semester abroad in the US. While there's no specific evidence of widespread cancellations by Berlin students as of 2025, ongoing concerns about entry and acceptance, as well as uncertainty in policy, can lead some students to reevaluate their options for international study.
- USA
- Students
- Berlin
- FU
- Humboldt University
- TU
- German Press Agency
[[1]: Anxieties and concerns among international students, as expressed on popular social media platforms like TikTok, hint at a broader risk perception related to visa policies and political climates.]
[[5]: The US State Department continues to advise caution and preparation for international travel and study, adding to the sense of uncertainty among prospective students.]]
- Despite the uncertainty, some universities in Berlin, such as the University of the Arts and the University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Law, still have students planning to undertake vocational training and education-and-self-development in the US.
- The ongoing political developments and perceived restrictive visa policies in the US have led to a decrease in interest for vocational training and education-and-self-development among students in Berlin, potentially causing a decline in the number of students opting for a semester abroad in the US.
