Indian students studying at Harvard University say they are going through a difficult and uncertain time due to recent actions by the Trump administration. Many describe the past few months as a “rollercoaster” filled with anxiety, job struggles, and confusion about what lies ahead.
A recent graduate from the Harvard Kennedy School said she is unsure whether to return to India, try to stay in the US, or move to another country. “It’s been a time of not knowing what to do,” she said, speaking anonymously.
In recent months, the US government has suspended Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, frozen over $2 billion in grants, and revoked the university’s ability to enroll new international students. President Trump also accused the university of failing to provide information about foreign students’ activities.
Students say these steps have deeply affected their future plans. A graduate from Harvard Graduate School of Design said, “We came here hoping to work for a few years after graduating. Now, most companies are hesitant to hire international students.”
Another graduate noted that job rejections have become common. “Employers no longer want to go through visa complications. Even being from Harvard doesn’t help right now,” she said.
Many students had hoped to gain experience in the US before returning to India, but now some are choosing to go back immediately due to the uncertainty. “People are rethinking their entire future because the situation is so unpredictable,” one student said.
The Trump administration’s funding cuts are also affecting job prospects in fields like public policy, climate change, and healthcare—areas where many Indian students at Harvard planned to work.
Adding to the pressure, incoming Indian students who are planning to begin studies at Harvard later this year are also worried. Some are reconsidering their decision and looking at universities in Europe or other countries due to the volatile situation in the US.
Despite the challenges, students say the Harvard administration and other peers have shown strong support. “It’s been heartening to see how the university and fellow students have stood by international students,” a Kennedy School graduate said.
According to Harvard’s International Office, there are currently around 788 Indian students and scholars at various Harvard schools. The total number of international students and scholars across the university is over 10,000.
Students say the dream of studying and working in the US—the so-called “American Dream”—has changed. “It’s not the same anymore. A lot has been damaged and may not be fixed,” one student said. However, they continue to hope that the situation will stabilise over time.
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