Coming from a purely experimental NMR lab and driven by a deep curiosity for computational science, I was fortunate to be accepted by the very developers of the software I was struggling to configure. Dr. Raphael and his team at Auburn University were incredibly kind and they supported my proposal and quickly agreed to organize everything.
The visa wait…
Everything seemed to be falling into place, until life, as always, threw in some complications. Around the time I was preparing for my arrival, the U.S. held its presidential elections. Soon after, the headlines were filled with troubling news: international visas being revoked, stipends suspended, and students deported over minor issues. The dream that once felt within reach suddenly seemed fragile again.
Let me tell you - the fear of visa rejection is very real. It’s a black box, and no amount of preparation can fully erase the uncertainty. I spent countless nights doomscrolling through Reddit, Twitter, and Quora, absorbing both the horror stories and the hopeful ones from complete strangers. The anxiety was constant: What if? What if after committing so much, my visa still gets rejected?
I obsessively reviewed the documentation every day, checking emails frequently to ensure nothing was missing. When my stress peaked, I finally received the DS-2019 form - the key document for the visa. But, of course, life had other plans. The form only listed the RESOLV funding and left out the additional income I was already receiving. I had already booked my visa appointment in a rush, running out of time.
Thankfully, the university secretary acted swiftly, and I received the corrected form just a week before the interview!
The visa interview itself went smoothly, though not without a moment of panic. I had come well-prepared, but watching the person ahead of me get rejected sent my nerves spiralling. With sweaty palms hidden beneath the counter, I somehow managed to maintain a calm poker face. To my surprise, the interview lasted barely five minutes. They smiled, said everything was in order, and approved my visa on the spot. It wasn’t joy I felt, just sheer relief - as if all the stress I had carried for weeks was finally melting away beneath my feet.
But then came what I feared the most: U.S. immigration.
Borderline Panic, Full-Hearted Hope!
Just a week before my departure, a friend called me, sharing the story of a fellow graduate student who had been deported over something as trivial as a parking ticket. He warned me to lay low - avoid drawing attention, especially on social media. Apparently, having a visible online presence could backfire. I took his advice seriously and went into digital hibernation.
Still, true to form, I panicked my way through the entire 10-hour flight for absolutely no reason. I imagined every worst-case scenario. But here’s the thing: They say sometimes you're lucky, and sometimes you're just fine without needing to be. My immigration process? It was over in minutes. No grilling. No document checks. They didn’t even ask for my DS-2019, which they usually do. It was, unexpectedly, a breeze.
In the Spirit of the American Dream
So here I am, in the heart of the American Southwest, living through yet another exciting chapter of my journey. None of this would have been possible if I had let fear or circumstance hold me back. Looking back, I realize I could’ve easily ended up on the other side of the story - dealing with a visa rejection, or an immigration issue. But you know what would’ve been worse? Not trying at all.
To all my fellow international students, especially those from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds: yes, the road is harder. You’ll have to work twice as much, plan twice as carefully, and face doubts others may never have to think about. But when your dreams finally begin to take shape, when your efforts pay off, the joy, the pride, and the sense of fulfillment will be more than worth it.
So, keep dreaming boldly. But also stay grounded, do your research, and prepare relentlessly. Because your dreams are valid — and they’re possible.
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