Patrick Thaw’s journey from Myanmar to the United States was a dream come true, but a summer internship in Singapore quickly turned into a prolonged detour. As he connected with friends at the University of Michigan through video calls, Thaw found himself unable to return due to a travel ban affecting students from Myanmar.
Thaw’s troubles began after his U.S. student visa renewal interview in June, when President Donald Trump’s travel ban was imposed on multiple countries, including Myanmar. Reflecting on his decision to leave for an internship, he lamented, “If I knew it was going to go down this badly, I wouldn’t have left the United States.”
International students faced additional challenges under the Trump administration, including delayed visa appointments and stricter vetting processes, which resulted in declining enrollment numbers. For students like Thaw, who were already established in their academic programs, these changes posed significant disruptions.
Universities responded with flexible solutions, like reviving remote learning options and offering admission to partner campuses abroad, explained Sarah Spreitzer from the American Council on Education. In Thaw’s case, a Michigan administrator suggested studying in Australia as a possible alternative.
While stranded in Singapore, Thaw’s daily life consisted of making new friends who were often occupied with their commitments. His days were filled with checking email, taking walks, and dining out, though his mind was frequently in Ann Arbor. “Mentally, I’m back in Ann Arbor,” he said, “But physically, I’m trapped in Singapore.”
Thaw’s enthusiasm for campus life was evident when he first arrived at Michigan in 2023. He quickly integrated into the community, joining a biology fraternity and an Alzheimer’s research lab. His intellectual curiosity led him to enroll in a diverse array of courses, including Jewish studies, motivated by his interest in Philip Roth’s works.
Despite rumors of impending travel restrictions, Thaw initially dismissed them as unlikely, even joking about it with friends. The announcement of the travel ban caught him off guard.
Attending an American university was a long-held aspiration for Thaw, especially as educational opportunities in Myanmar dwindled amid political turmoil. His acceptance into Michigan was a pivotal moment, one he cherished deeply. “The moment I landed in the United States, like, set foot, I was like, this is it,” he recalled. “This is where I begin my new life.”
Thaw’s experiences in Myanmar, shared with friends like Allison Voto, offered insights into the complexities of global issues, broadening their understanding of the world. His story is part of a larger narrative: in the 2024-25 academic year, over 1.2 million international students were in the U.S., with Myanmar among the countries most affected by the travel ban.
The University of Michigan acknowledged the difficulties faced by international students, though they did not comment specifically on Thaw’s case. While studying abroad in Australia was considered, the uncertainty surrounding the ban ultimately led Thaw to seek educational opportunities elsewhere.
Faced with indefinite waiting, Thaw began applying to colleges in other countries, receiving offers from institutions in Australia and Canada. He hopes to attend the University of Toronto, keeping him within a manageable distance from friends in Ann Arbor. Voto expressed her commitment to their friendship, saying, “If he comes anywhere near me, basically on the continent of North America, I’m going to go see him. I mean, he’s Patrick, you know? That’s absolutely worth it.”
