Latest news with #Ghosal
India Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
How are Harvard students coping with Trump's sudden visa order?
When the US government suddenly cancelled Harvard University's SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) certification, it sent shockwaves through the international student community. Many were left confused, worried, and scrambling to save their education and career plans.'It's been nothing short of destabilising,' says Aritra Ghosal, Founder and Director of One Step Global. 'Students had everything planned out—admissions, housing, finances. And then within 72 hours, everything was turned upside down. It's not just about Harvard. The message to international students is clear: your future here is not guaranteed.'advertisementCAREER DREAMS THROWN OFF TRACKFor many students, this is more than just a temporary glitch—it could change the entire course of their careers. 'Most international students choose the US not just for the degree, but for the global opportunities that come after,' Ghosal adds. 'Losing access to work options like OPT after graduation is not a small issue. It's a huge setback.'What makes it worse, he says, is the uncertainty. 'You don't know if transferring to another school will protect your visa, your credits, or even your chance to work in the U.S. after you graduate." It's like planning your career in the middle of a storm.'ADVISORS STEP IN TO HELP STUDENTS REBUILDAs students try to make sense of these sudden changes, education counsellors are stepping in to help.'When such unexpected changes happen, we act fast to reduce the damage,' says Rozy Efzal, Co-founder and Director at Invest4Edu. 'We first check if the student's visa status is still valid. If needed, we explore transferring them to other SEVP-approved colleges.'advertisementIf that's not possible due to visa delays, Efzal says they help students request deferrals so they don't lose their admission. 'We also tell all our students to have a backup plan—like applying to Canada, the UK, or Australia. That way, they don't lose a whole year if the US route doesn't work out.'The goal, she says, is to keep students legally safe and academically on track—without last-minute FROM COLLEGESWhile some students say Harvard's faculty and student groups have offered emotional support, the practical help has been limited.'Yes, people are checking in, but we're being told to wait and hope,' says Ghosal. 'That's not real support—it's just asking students to manage on their own.'He says what students need is clear communication, quick action, and backup systems that can actually help in a crisis—not just kind HEALTH TAKING A HITBeyond the paperwork and planning, students are struggling emotionally. The sudden policy change has left many feeling hurt and betrayed.'I've seen students panic, break down, and lose sleep,' Ghosal shares. We looked up to the US as a place of opportunity and fairness. Now it feels like we're just pawns in a political game.'This emotional toll is something Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, takes seriously. He believes that proper counselling should be part of every student's students face a lot—changing rules, stress, and pressure to make the right choices,' he says. Good counselling isn't a luxury anymore—it's essential. When students feel heard and supported, they can make better decisions about their future.A WORRYING MESSAGE TO THE WORLDExperts warn that these sudden shifts in US policy may push international students to look elsewhere.'We're already seeing students apply to US colleges and also keep backup options abroad,' Efzal says. 'This kind of uncertainty damages trust.'Ghosal agrees. 'If the US wants to keep attracting top talent from around the world, it needs to treat international students as contributors—not just as numbers.'For now, students are holding on, making backup plans, and trying to stay hopeful.'Planning your future shouldn't feel like managing a crisis,' says Ghosal. 'But right now, that's what it's become.'Tune InMust Watch
BBC News
27-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cullingworth Parkside sixth form to close due to low admissions
A school's sixth form is to be closed to new admissions due to low student numbers in recent years, parents have been Ghosal, principal of Parkside School in Cullingworth, Bradford, said in a letter: "Our current Year 12 (next year's Year 13) will be the final Sixth Form cohort at Parkside."The closure had been a "difficult choice", but the "post-16 landscape" had changed significantly and the school must adapt, Mr Ghosal said."We are wholly committed to wrapping around our Year 11 students to ensure that they each progress on to the best Post-16 pathway for their needs," he added. The school would be "communicating with all of the local post-16 providers to support our students with their next steps", according to Mr Ghosal.A Bradford Council spokesman said: "The council has become aware of the decision/proposal to not offer places in Year 12 at Parkside School from September."[The council] is offering support through our SkillsHouse service to the young people and families affected by this decision to enable them to successfully progress into a suitable alternative."The authority was continuing to work "closely" with the district's schools, colleges and training providers "to ensure all our young people have access to a high quality place in post-16 education that meets their needs and ambitions", the spokesman added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
