American students consider staying in Europe due to political circumstances

The policies of president Donald Trump’s administration are prompting some American students to consider staying in Europe. They are hesitant to return home, mainly due to budget cuts in school funding and accusations of antisemitism by the president.

„I’ve noticed that an increasing number of American students want to stay in Europe after earning a bachelor’s degree or continue their master’s studies here,“ agrees Petr Kutílek from CIEE Study Abroad Prague.

Several studies also confirm this trend. According to experts, American students are nowadays more likely to study and work abroad.

Eli Main from the University of Washington is worried about cuts to research funding. He was originally supposed to return to the US this summer but is now considering staying in Prague.

Students are concerned not only about financing but also about restrictions of academic freedom. An increasing number of students is starting to oppose a school environment where teachers can’t openly discuss concerning issues with their students for fear of repercussions. „Many students feel that Europe provides more space for research and academic independence,“ adds Kutílek.

A study from January alleges that more than a third of American faculty members noticed an increase in the number restrictions which have impacted their ability to teach, conduct research, and express their opinions openly.

Trump’s administration has also taken a strong stance against pro-Palestinian student protests, such as those at Columbia University. While the administration claims these measures are aimed at combating antisemitism, many see it as an attempt to control the academic environment. This, they fear, threatens the core values of higher education.

“If I want to extend my visa, I need to remain enrolled,” Eli says. “I would just continue taking classes, specifically Czech, because I want to learn the language.”

Some students like Luke Wiener from Wake Forest University in Winston‑Salem, North Carolina, think Europe is more politically stable and that there is more freedom.

„I’ve been exploring citizenship options in a few countries, and Poland is a top contender. You can apply if you have documentation of your family’s ties to the country. Living in the EU with an EU passport would be ideal, especially since I’m not eager to return to the States,” says anthropology student Luke, who is of American and Polish heritage.

For him the situation is deeply personal. “Freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the ability to critique are being severely undermined, which is troubling in a democracy,” he says. “This shift in educational freedoms is making me reconsider returning to my home university.”

As a Jewish student, he is especially worried about accusations of antisemitism, which the American administration increasingly uses to silence peaceful protest movements. „Criticizing Israel is not the same as antisemitism,“ Luke says. „It’s dangerous to conflate Judaism and Israel because this only leads to more antisemitism, especially for those of us in the diaspora.“

Students aren’t the only ones opposing the changes. Eli’s alma mater is one of more than 200 institutions whose management signed a letter protesting a „government that has gone too far.“

For Eli, defending academic freedom is crucial. „Current policies threaten the very essence of what America represents: the right to protest and speak your mind.“

While American universities risk losing talented students, Czech universities might in turn gain them, along with the teachers, who are also dissatisfied with the budget cuts and policies under Trump. Charles University in Prague, for example, actively reached out to American scholars and students that consider staying in Europe or relocating to the continent.

Since November 2024, the largest university in Central Europe has received three times the number of inquiries about job openings in the Czech Republic. Interest in programs and competitions for both emerging and established scholars is also on the rise.

„Academic freedom, independent research, and international cooperation are core values that Charles University stands upon. These values are not to be taken for granted, and we understand how fragile they can be. This is why we value the opportunity to share them with scholars and students from abroad who seek a stable and open environment for their work and studies,“ explains the university’s rector, Milena Králíčková.

Source: expats.cz, Novinky.cz