As global politics continue to shift, international students face growing uncertainty about studying abroad in the United States, especially Chinese students. Recent tensions between the U.S. and China have led to stricter visa reviews, raising concern among students, families, and schools that depend on international diversity. A U.S. visa is the travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship for citizens of foreign countries to legally enter the U.S. At Dana Hall, however, administrators emphasize preparedness, transparency, and community support as key to navigating the challenges of visa reviews.
“I applied during seventh grade, and almost all of my peers’ visas were declined at least once,” said Yilia Zhang ’29, a freshman from China. “My parents wanted me to have a broader view by coming to the U.S., and Dana Hall felt safe and full of resources. Plus, it has a great swimming program.”
Yilia’s experience reflects a larger trend. As reported by Reuters, the U.S. plans to begin “aggressively” revoking visas for Chinese students, particularly those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in “critical” academic fields. The article noted that there were about 277,000 Chinese students in the U.S. in 2024, down from around 370,000 in 2019: the declining numbers reflect the mounting scrutiny.
Some families, especially those from China, are experiencing delays and anxiety around visa access. Ms. Gi Yoon Hur, Dana Hall’s Assistant Director of Admission, addresses this dilemma: “These concerns are understandable because of the tensions. We try to ease them by providing documents early, maintaining close connections with SEVIS and with prospective families, and we encourage early planning. Most of our students have been able to arrive on campus on time.”
SEVIS is a federal online tracking system run by the Department of Homeland Security. It keeps records on schools approved to enroll international students, the F-1 and M-1 students who attend them, and organizations that sponsor J-1 exchange visitors. All Dana Hall’s international students currently possess F-1 visas.
Ms. Donna Corrigan, Dean of Residential Life and International Student Advisor, also emphasized that ongoing communication is central to supporting students through policy changes. “We monitor all of the happenings in the U.S. so that we can communicate with students in a timely manner,” she said. “We frequently remind students to check visa and passport expiration dates to help streamline the process before breaks. If there are any concerns, we are always here to support.”
Ms. Corrigan added that transparency and emotional support are just as important as logistics. “We make sure students feel comfortable asking for help and know there are adults here to support them through any concerns or fears.”
According to the demographics of Dana Hall’s applicants, “There’s steady interest from our traditional regions in East and Southeast Asia, particularly China, Japan, and Korea,” Ms. Hur explained. “At the same time, we’re seeing growth in Latin America, as well as inquiries from Europe and India. Overall, the geographic diversity is expanding.”
For Yilia, life in the U.S. has been full of both challenges and surprises—from the cold water coming from the pool shower to cultural differences in daily life. She feels that international students bring something unique to the school community. “We add diversity and different cultures to the community,” she said. “We can help other students know more about our culture—like Mandarin—or even new ways to solve math problems.”
“Students and families should be well-informed and prepared,” Ms. Corrigan advised. “The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be.” Ms. Hur agreed, encouraging international students to remain open-minded: “While global tensions are real, the U.S. still offers incredible educational opportunities. Choosing a school that aligns with your values and goals can make your experience truly rewarding.”