A growing number of Greek and international students in the US are canceling their plans to visit Greece this summer due to strict advisories from top American universities. These advisories discourage summer travel amidst concerns over potential delays in returning to the US caused by visa issuance issues.
In Los Angeles, near the bustling scenes of Hollywood, Vasilis Magoulianitis—a 30-year-old student from Greece—shares the challenges faced by thousands of international students in the US today.
Speaking with a calm demeanor but clear concern for the future, he explained to protothema.gr reporters Vicky Dalli and Marios Lazaridis—Greeks residing in Los Angeles—why he will not return to Greece for his summer break this year, marking a first since he left his home country.
Having lived in Los Angeles for five years, Vasilis came to pursue his dream of earning a PhD in electrical engineering, focusing on creating medical applications with artificial intelligence to improve cancer diagnosis methods.
“Five Years Ago, Everything Was Simple”
Reflecting on the past, he recalls that the process of obtaining his student visa was straightforward: “When I first arrived, everything fell into place quickly once I had the university’s invitation. I simply went to the US embassy in Athens, and my visa was issued in one to two weeks,” he said.
However, the situation has drastically changed today.
“Now, everything is shifting—both for student visas and work permits, which are also crucial. For instance, visa issuance for students has been frozen at all embassies,” he pointed out.
Vasilis highlighted Harvard University as a key example: “There was the incident with Harvard, where the government banned the acceptance of new foreign students for the upcoming academic year due to a decision by former President Donald Trump. Although the judiciary intervened and halted this measure, the worry remains,” he explained.
The biggest worry pertains to the “grace period.”
“Previously, we had 90 days to find a job after completing our studies. Now, there are discussions about possibly reducing this period, which adds to our anxiety,” he noted.
Summer Without a Trip Home
The most significant impact of this unpredictability is the cancellation of travels to Greece.
“Yes, the university has strongly advised against international travel this year. Consequently, I won’t be going to Greece this summer. Many of my Greek classmates feel the same way. All our plans are on hold, and we’re just awaiting clarity,” he remarked.
Daily life in Los Angeles is becoming increasingly challenging. From the pandemic to wildfires and immigration protests, the city appears less inviting each year. Amid these difficulties, young people who left Greece to pursue their studies and careers feel increasingly trapped in a system that is evolving unpredictably.
Official Advisory: “Avoid Travel”
Vasilis’ worries are not unfounded. According to an official memo from the Visa Services offices at American universities: “We strongly encourage individuals on F-1 visas who lack a valid visa stamp to refrain from traveling internationally. Such individuals risk being stranded abroad for months if they attempt to leave the US during this period.”
The US Department of State (USDOS) has also temporarily suspended the scheduling of new F-1 visa appointments at consulates globally as part of tighter monitoring, which includes reviewing visa applicants’ social media accounts.
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