Akosua Boadi-Agyemang

Telling international students who take their full course load online as opposed to half in-person that they need to leave the US ~2months before classes resume is disheartening.

Options to avoid leaving include: take hybrid course load or transfer to a university that offers a non-online only course load.

Why are we in an era of instilling fear and panic into foreign nationals/international students?

Leave with borders closed?
We are in a global pandemic...

This comes less than 2 weeks after the EO on US work visas.

It’s like we’re being punished for being foreign nationals.

Dear International Students:
• Please reach out to your University International Student Scholar Services and talk to an advisor for assistance on how to handle this abrupt situation.
• I have posted a link in the comments for information on this topic.
• Please check with your home country on border guidance on how to enter before making travel arrangements.
• Ask for help if you need it. Prioritize your mental health.

Love and light to so many - there’s way too much happening right now. Choose faith over fear.🌻💜

#theBOLDjourney #internationalstudents #foreignworkers

“Success” is not linear.👇🏿

I spent 2015 - 2017 being uncountably rejected by countless companies. “We like you but we don’t sponsor #internationalstudents”

I kept working. Late fall ‘17, I wrote a vulnerable post about rejection on LinkedIn. I also directly stated what type of internship I was looking for. The post received over 2 million views, even encouragement from Jeff Weiner.

Did I get an internship immediately from the post, though? Lol, no. All companies, including MSFT told me they had fully hired. Some even said, “we don’t sponsor but, kudos on being BOLD”.

Three months passed, I recall telling my parents, “I’m going to be the girl that went viral & no job came from it, lol”.

Feb’18, the MSFT recruiter circled back (we kept in touch) & mentioned that there was a role. I applied. Went through all interviews. I got an internship offer.

My first & only internship offer.

I went from being the girl that couldn’t even get one offer. To the girl that got one offer that changed everything. That summer I even had a 1:1 meeting w/ Satya Nadella. (Melinda Gates was there too😧).

From 0 to 100 real quick.

💡Where you are now is not where you’ll always be. It may feel crappy, but, everything can change for better. Keep going.

Faith over fear!🙏🏿

#theBOLDjourney

What it’s like to be an International Student 101:

To really understand exactly what it’s like to be one, you need to become an international student.

However, here’s some insight:

Leaving home
Finding/needing support
Dealing with discrimination (various)
Stereotypes
Ridiculous expectations
Growth mindset
Good Exploration
Timed job search/Sponsorship(or lack thereof)
Red tape
Immigration limits
Financial discrepancies
Learning to make the most out of all
Constantly proving yourself
Sacrifice
Rejection
Racism
Success
Failure
Judgement
Ridicule
Culture shock
Adaptation

The list goes on and on.

I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything.

It’s a privilege and a blessing to gain higher education at a great university. I, personally, love my journey.

However, I urge you, before you put your lips together to judge, undermine or make assumptions about international students anywhere - DON’T!

Rather, ASK US about our own experience.

We’re happy to share - some of us may even need the lowkey venting session.

International students face judgement not only in the countries they go, but in the ones they leave.

Everyone has a story.

What you don’t know may enlighten you.

Be kind!
Lead with empathy and extend grace, always.💜

#theBOLDjourney #internationalstudents

Black Lives Matter, too!
Stop killing us.

Oh, you’re uncomfortable seeing this on your LinkedIn feed?

Guess you’ve got some educating to do. Have the conversation.

It’s uncomfortable?

Welp - just remember, no matter how uncomfortable confronting your biases may be, it’ll never be as uncomfortable as a Black person is with a knee on their neck.

Do the work!

#theBOLDjourney

When we stand together, we win for better.

And just like that, the ICE order that would force #internationalstudents to take in-person classes or face deportation has been rescinded.

“The Trump administration has rescinded its policy that would bar international students who only take online courses from staying in the US, a federal judge announced Tuesday in Boston.”

YES - to everyone who spoke up and out. Used their power for good - thank you!

Link to articles in comments👇🏿

#theBOLDjourney #foreignnationals

Dear #internationalstudents : I know it’s hard at times, but, don’t see being a foreign student as a disadvantage.

Personally, I would speak to the assets I bring:

• Understanding various cultures
• Proficient in multiple languages
• Knowing both accounting IFRS & US GAAP principles (imagine, a company could hire you who understands both)
• Adaptation | Respect | Hardworking
• Being able to understand business across cultures
• Traveling opens up your mind
• Strength/Resilience - to pick up and leave your home to study else where, not easy
• Ability to make whatever situation we’re dealt into a positive one - we do this many times as an international student
• Perseverance - we keep going regardless of how disappointing the situation is
• Fast learner - whether learning to understand a new culture and some to understand a new language in a short timeframe, we do it
• Educating - without asking for it, we become educators breaking ignorant barriers of how people see us/our people. I started Re-Envision Africa to share my personal experience and help people see Africa/her countries in a wholistic way

There’s so much more. Speak to it.

💡As a foreign student - we add so power to a foreign land. Don’t ever see yourself as a disadvantage.

#theBOLDjourney #jobsearch