Hyderabad, India, is known for sending the highest number of students to the US, but many face significant challenges once abroad. In 2023, several students from Hyderabad encountered hardships while pursuing their education in the US.
Syeda Lulu Minhaj, a former Assistant Professor at Shadan College of Engineering and Technology, was found starving on the streets of Chicago. She had travelled to the US two years ago to pursue a Masters in Information Science from TRINE University, Detroit, but her belongings were stolen, leading to depression.
Another student, Mohammed Amer, arrived in the US in 2023 on a student visa and landed in the hospital after suffering from a throat infection. His brother, Mohd Mujahed, reported that Amer’s condition is critical and he is receiving treatment at Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tragically, 24-year-old Hyderabad student Pratiksha Kunwar lost her life in a road accident in Kansas while pursuing her Master’s in Business Analysis in the US. Similarly, Aishwarya Thatikonda, who had obtained a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Osmania University and a Master’s degree in construction management from Eastern Michigan University, was tragically killed in a mass shooting at a mall in Texas.
These incidents shed light on the challenges faced by some Hyderabad students in the US. While there are many opportunities for students studying in the US, it is clear that they need to be mentally prepared to face the numerous challenges that may arise during their time abroad.
In conclusion, the story of these students from Hyderabad underscores the need for greater support and resources for international students in the US. These tragic incidents also serve as a reminder of the importance of mental and emotional well-being when pursuing education in a foreign country.