The Messy Transfer Process for International Students

Posted May 28, 2020
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Growing up in the Philippines and spending most of my teenage years there has opened my eyes to the struggles of not having enough. In 2008, my parents and I were given an opportunity to go to the United States via a family petition which took more than 20 years to materialize. At that time, I had just started college in one of the most prestigious private institutions in the Philippines through a merit scholarship and other financial aid. After gaining permanent residency status in the United States, my family decided the most economical decision was for me to return to the Philippines and continue my education there. I had very successful, academically rewarding semesters — until I experienced a season of complete breakdown and feelings of isolation in my junior year in college. I took a step back from school to pursue other passions such as music and still did not completely turn out for the better. Fast forward, I remember going on a solo flight back to New York City in October 2015 feeling completely empty, hopeless, and lacking purpose in life.

Being a transfer student, especially from a foreign college, has not been easy, from having to deal with mandatory yet unreliable standardized testing criteria, inconsistent transfer credential evaluations, to the sudden academic culture shift, and the often inadequate transfer advisement process across academic institutions, public or private. These all take a toll on students’ graduation rates, self-esteem, mental health, finances, and even their potential for a career. To put it simply: If we indeed want every student to be successful in the future and contribute to the nation as skilled professionals, why are we making it more difficult for them to achieve it?

So, take a moment today and think of an “ultimate dream” you have inside. It doesn’t matter how small or big you think it is. Ask yourself why you want to do it and what it takes for you to complete it. Write it down on a piece of paper and take an immediate first step towards it. Remind yourself daily of this dream, even in good and bad times. Lastly, always remember: “Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer and never submit to failure.” Be patient. You’ll get there one day!

Romy Robielos II is a junior at New  York City College of Technology, CUNY, and a member of Young Invincibles’ Spring 2020 Young Advocates Program.