'This is just the beginning, Trump still has four years to go'

'I'm glad I got out of there'

Evan (19) was transferred this year to University College Utrecht (UCU) after a year in college in New York, United States. The detention and deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate, after participating in protests for Palestine, remind Evan of similar scenes on his former campus. He doesn't want to mention at which university he studied because of the political situation in the US.  “I can't believe someone had their green card revoked because they exercised their right to protest.” 

Although he had always played with the idea of going away, Evan was also frustrated with how the Executive Board of his university dealt with the whole situation. “This wasn’t the first time people got arrested on campus. People are scared, especially given everything that is happening with Mahmoud Khalil.” Even social media posts could jeopardise one's safety, as the Executive Board could use them as evidence against students. “In a way, I feel empowered that I got out and have nothing to do with that place anymore.”

Evan perceives a grander sense of defeat back home, compared to Trump's first term. More people are considering degrees abroad, and some of Evan's close friends are even moving away. “My uncle’s friend moved to El Salvador after the elections. People are really trying to get out. My mom will spend her entire summer in Europe, going from Airbnb to Airbnb.” Almost all his phone calls with his loved ones back home are dominated by politics and concerns. “One friend said they would do anything to be in my shoes, outside the US, outside all the craziness.” 

When it comes to plans for the future, Evan has been stretching his time in the Netherlands as much as possible. He has been elected to the UCU student council of UCU. One of his reasons for running was the opportunity to stay here an additional semester. He doesn't know what he will do after his Bachelor's degree yet. “It's still too early to think about it, but I'm considering a Master's programme in Canada. That would be nice as I would be close to my family, but wouldn't have to be in the United States.” However, he would strongly consider staying in the Netherlands if it is financially feasible. “What is happening is definitely changing my perspective on what I'm going to do.” 

'I feel a deep sense of sadness and anxiety in my body'

Madison (32) came to Utrecht for love, but she is now pursuing a Bachelor's in the Humanities at UU. DUB talked to her last year for an article about the US elections, and she said she would not go back to the United States if Trump won. Asked if she still feels that way, Madison reveals that the feeling she had in November is still there. She would like to return to the US, but she doesn't see it happening anymore. “I think the US is becoming a dictatorship.”

Madison is a fictitious name. The student prefers to use a pseudonym for safety and privacy reasons. Her extended family is Catholic and white, with some branches holding significant financial assets. For this reason, her cousins in college don't seem very concerned. "If you are in the system, you can understand the problems, but you don't necessarily see what the root of those problems are and how you are participating in them." Her closest family members are liberal, and every phone call with her mom is politically oriented. "Things have gotten pretty hard there for the people I know. People can do less and less."

Personally, the political developments in her home country affect her in a way she doesn’t quite understand yet. “Every time I read the news, I feel a deep sense of sadness and anxiety in my body,” she admits. However, those feelings haven't stopped her from considering a Master's in Theatre in the United States because education in that field is better there. She also applied for permanent residence in the Netherlands two weeks ago, so she has the option of staying in Europe long-term if necessary. More and more Americans have reached out to her to learn how to leave the United States. “I hear a lot of people say it, but nobody means it. I think that many people are attached to the US in a way I never was.” 

'Our entire diversity department got dissolved'

Esme (18) follows a pre-medical track in Florida and came to Utrecht on exchange on the same day Trump was inaugurated. They needed a break from the American education system. Politically motivated changes have become more frequent in their university back home. As someone who is considered medically disabled in the United States, it has become impossible for Esme to find suitable housing. “Our entire diversity department got dissolved in the summer, and the money was put towards the president of the university. My housing needs are now being ignored. I can’t even reach the disability centre, their phone number doesn’t exist anymore.” Disabled people now have to live off-campus; however, commuting is not always possible, and when it is, it is expensive. "I came to Utrecht to scout for future opportunities.” 

Esme is on a full scholarship and fears that FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be put in jeopardy because Trump dismantled the Department of Education. At first, Esme did not want to go to university in the US, but had to do so due to financial restrictions. Their family has a sportswear business that has been caught up in Trump's tariff war. Since the company has to outsource to China, its debt has had a setback of several years.

Esme’s mom is urging them to find scholarships somewhere else, such as Utrecht. “But I would much rather go to a worse university and see my family every weekend, care for them and help them with their business,” says the exchange student. Esme would “love to stay here” if they could, but they say that's not realistic. The remaining two years of their education must be finished in the United States, a prospect that makes them anxious. “This is just the beginning, and Trump has four years to go. Who knows what will happen?”

You can read a summary of the executive orders that impact higher education here.

UU students on exchange in the US
Around forty students from Utrecht University are in the United States to study or do internships. Before they left, the university informed them about what to expect. They were advised to keep an eye on the travel advice issued by the Dutch government, follow the news and register with the Dutch embassy. According to Ramon Ellenbroek, Team Leader of Student Life & International Mobility, UU also raised awareness of other laws and regulations, such as those related to culture or participating in demonstrations.

After the departure, the students didn't get any further advice from UU about the political situation in the country. As far as UU knows, no UU students have gotten in trouble. None of them has contacted UU over concerns about the measures taken by the Trump administration and their impact on universities. The university is not aware of any students who have cut their stay in the US short.

In mid-March, UU held a meeting for students interested in going on exchange in the next academic year. In these meetings, the students are informed about matters such as where to stay, insurance, cultural differences, and how to register for courses. They also learn about visa applications and relevant events. The university also lets students know that it will contact them in case of emergency, like it did during the wildfires in Los Angeles. 

According to Ellenbroek, the number of UU students interested in an internship or study programme in the US has not decreased. However, he adds that every year, some of the registered students drop out.