Hi everyone, my name is Subomi Babawale. Last year, due to the immense support I received, I was able to complete my undergrad education, and avoid deportation from the US. I have spent weeks thinking about how to go about this. But after the encouragement I received, it built my courage to seek assistance once again. Last year, I applied to a bunch of fully-funded PhD programs and pressed on my job hunt search. With my international student F-1 immigration status, there are certain restrictions and rules I must abide by. After undergrad, an international student has two options if they want to continue staying legally in the US. This involves either finding employment on their OPT (Optional Practical Training: finding a job which must directly relate to what they studied or majored in) or committing to another degree program. In addition, the OPT is only valid for a year (for non-STEM majors) and one must either be able to secure H-1B work visa, through a company sponsorship and that within of itself, is a feat to accomplish, as well as there are many hurdles to be jumped in order for it to be successful. Usually unless an international student secures employment in a university or a nonprofit, there is a timeline for companies to send in their applications for the individuals they want to sponsor. This usually happens between March and April and by April the lottery results are announced. In addition, in some cases, even if one is able to find a company that does this and is willing to go through the process, since it is a lottery-based system, it is not a complete guarantee that one would secure that visa. Sometimes, a little bit of luck does play a role as well.

After my graduation in December 2021, and even before, I was heavy on my job search hunt (especially for companies that hired and were open to the idea of sponsorship). However, my 90 days OPT clock countdown started ticking from December 17th, 2021.Essentially, from the day I graduated, I had 90 days to secure employment or commit to a new degree program (else I would have to leave the US). I had already applied to a bunch of PhD programs, so in the coming months, I would wait to hear back. The months following graduation were pretty rough, especially in the job search hunt. I had a situation where I practically had the job after an interview, but they lost interest once I asked if they hired international students. But I consoled myself that if somehow I could not find a job, maybe I would get into graduate school. But it was not long before I was hit with a wave of rejections. It was a brutal reality check for me as I got rejections from both grad schools and companies as well. I tried to network on LinkedIn as well. But no matter how many applications I sent in; I still could not secure a solid offer. Then I almost lost my sanity when more grad school rejections came in. I had felt like I would have to leave the US this time around, and my dreams would definitely get crushed.

But one day, as fate would have it, two of the schools that had rejected me for their PhD program reached back out to me a week after they had sent out rejections. They had expressed that although, they could not admit me into their PhD programs, they were impressed and wanted to consider me for their master’s instead. I was elated but also sad. I had strayed away from applying to masters programs simply because I could not afford it and my chances of getting any sort of financial aid as an international student would be very slim. Regardless, since I had no other options, I gave them the go ahead. I recently got admitted into Johns Hopkins University for a masters program for this fall 2022. I am beyond ecstatic, but another reality check hit me soon enough.

After several emails, phone calls, online research and a zoom call with the program director, my worst fear had finally manifested itself. There was no financial aid or scholarships available to international students. I had made so many inquiries and then panic started to settle in. But I also knew that I had to commit since my choices were limited. I do not have a fully-funded PhD offer and my chances of getting sponsored by a company this year (and having my immigration status change) are very slim. However, although this is a bittersweet opportunity, it can be a stepping stone for me to reapply once again (but with a more robust profile) to fully-funded PhD programs and as well as expand my job search options. In addition, it would buy me more time to search for jobs once again with another year of OPT. There are so many barriers to this becoming a reality for me. The first restriction is that by April 15th, I would need to commit to Johns Hopkins University and pay a deposit fee of $600. Furthermore, the tuition and fees are roughly $60,000. This does not include housing and living expenses. Unfortunately, it is another huge stressor for me, as I would also need to raise money for transport and rent since I would be moving to a new area/state as well. It is an intensive program, but it is one that if I am able to accomplish, can help propel for greater possibilities in the future. Education is the only way I have ever known to working hard to get closer to the top. Although this might be a roadblock, I still aspire to be more in the future, and I honestly would appreciate any help.

To be honest, I had felt scared, embarrassed, and worried about how people would view me, talk less of if I would actually be able to raise these fees in full. However, I am well aware that if I want this to become a reality possibly, I must do so starting now. I cannot allow fear to hold me back. This is because, at this point, I have much more to lose if I sit back and wallow in self-pity. I have come too far to quit without a fight. And any opportunity that I can get, to allow me to get one step closer to my goals, I want to ensure that I gave it my best before I called it quits. Thank you all for taking the time to read this to the very end. I would be very grateful for any support. I am also thankful for every single person who has aided me since the beginning of my journey. Any assistance would be of great help to me. Nothing is ever too small. Even a repost, or simply just reading it. Thank you all so much once again.