This is a thread about foreign-born academics (grad students & faculty): We're valued for bringing "global perspectives" to research & teaching, but there is not enough attn to the unique challenges we face. Below: multiple loads, prejudice, invisible minorities, & what to do.
Thread
Conversation
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="48" height="48"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
Replying to
1) Multiple loads: There are the usual challenges many academics struggle with: managing courses, hidden curricula, job market pressures, tenure clocks, work-life balance, etc etc. But then there's all the additional stuff associated with being foreign-born.
1
4
173
1a) Obviously, foreign-born academics cope with a different cultural environment/language and deal with visa/paperwork logistics. These things involve financial/time burdens and create stress/uncertainty. Universities often offer some assistance here, but usually not enough.
2
7
234
1b) Many foreign-born academics are far away from family and support networks. Health or other emergencies back home seem impossible to manage. Watching political events/turmoil back home can take a serious toll. Traveling to see family feels necessary, but eats up time & $$$.
1
25
340
1c) Obviously the pandemic has exacerbated all of this. Advisors and colleagues can sometimes be completely oblivious to these effects of distance.
1
3
187
2a) Prejudice: Foreign-born academics can experience outright racism and subtle micro-aggressions on campus, at conferences, etc and also in society at large. Less obvious is the way we often find our identity flattened, the times we are expected to act as cultural ambassadors.
2
21
266
2b) Many foreign-born academics encounter those who assume/pressure us to study ourselves and our societies rather than other topics that may interest us (imo, one of the reasons there are comparatively few int'l scholars who study IR). All of this takes a toll.
2
11
209
3a) Invisible minority: Of course, research funding that requires citizenship/permanent residency can exclude foreign-born scholars. Less obvious is that there are opportunities that (in the US) shut out those of us who are "White" on the census but PoC in every other sense.
1
9
209
3b) Limited resources have downstream effects because they shape who can successfully do what types of research.
1
2
126
So what should we do? If you are a foreign-born academic, try to build in the self-care/self-respect to recognize that you are carrying these additional burdens. Identify role models and try to build a networ . Pay it forward by mentoring, sitting on committees, speaking up.
1
10
205
If you are not a foreign-born academic, recognize the structural inequities that are built into academia. Push for mentoring, accommodations, support for students, hiring/retention of foreign-born scholars.
1
14
207
And people who are smarter than me have more to say on this topic 
Quote Tweet
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
Lamis Abdelaaty
@LAbdelaaty
·
Immigrants and foreign-born academics: What unique challenges do you think we face as international scholars? And what tips or resources have you found helpful?
3
2
91
Replying to
Great thoughts. I am feeling that much of this also applies to academics from non-academic backgrounds. Albeit slightly different (not necessarily better or worse)
1
1
9
I think about this as well, especially in the context of the recent #firstgen discourse at US academic institutions. I think the experiences of immigrant academics and First generation academics would have much overlap.
1
1
15
Show replies
The pressure to know and accept the host culture,often at an expanse of our own culture. Lack of support network. Indifferent supervisors who just simply refuse to acknowledge our work, problems,ideas and efforts bcz the research direction is not same
5
Replying to
Also a lot of these underlying challenges get passed down to 2nd generation younger “developing academics” - in different ways, and sometimes unconsciously, we are used to the way things are and just accept them.
1
2
But I think the biggest one is salary/benefits … tenure track or not/bust … more willing to work extra hard - while getting paid even less than other already lower paid academics - to get an academic job - because that’s the clearest way to get a VISA.
3
Replying to
Thank you for expressing these unifying experiences so eloquently, I feel seen and slightly unburdened/validated after reading this.
3
Replying to
I really feel this. It took me so long to learn the educational system in the UK. I often got told "you can do whatever you want in your course", then I'd ask "can I do this?" Only to hear, "no, never!". Folks didn't understand how much I had no idea what was expected or the norm
4
Replying to
Those you mentioned are all generic problem for immigrants, not just academics
1
1
Academia is less rewarding than normal jobs. You are at least sure you will be paid in most cases, in the academia you have to play the life of privileged locals with all those hidden curriculums, networking and other bs, while being an actual immigrant with second life back home
1
3
Replying to
I am so grateful for two foreign-born professors on my committee who asked me about visa implications when suggesting that I delayed my graduation date to finish an experiment, shared stories of struggles with international travel to see family, and made me feel seen.
3
Replying to
I would be happy if locals would actually let me study my own society instead of dismissing it or stuffing respective faculties with other locals
1
Replying to
When going to work overseas, you must be able to adapt culturally. Study the book by P.C. Earley, Soon Ang and Joo Seng Ta. " Developing Cultural Intelligence at Work;"; 2006.
Replying to
Foreign born academics can be neglected by the nhs. I’ve experienced this first hand and now I’m in my hometown being tested for a possible cardiac problem that the nhs totally disregarded.
1
Replying to
As a foreign-born grad student, couldn't agree more. Hope we could get more supports as a minority group
2
Replying to
I agree w much of the thread. But, respectfully, there are 2 (intersectional) caveats. 1. The term Foreign-born also includes VERY privileged ppl: wealthy, white, male etc from “developed” nations. Being poorer, undoc, from a post-colonial nation etc will make a huge difference.
1
6
2. Generations of oppression in US can be devastating. Studies show lower rates of edu & income the longer a group has lived in US. Also, privileged ppl value SOME foreign cultures over US-born POCs. For ex, a White Latin American over an Afro-Puerto Ran from around the way.
1
3
Show replies
Another caveat: they "value" global perspectives in US PoliSci, but how many PS faculty do you know who completed PhDs abroad? And of those, how many completed PhDs in the Global South? In other words, global perspectives are "valued" if contained within US and Northern training.
2
4
Which translates to accepting perspectives that don't challenge predominant epistemological premises, by guaranteeing "good science" through "good training".. a second caveat - in Brasil it's common to hear that we train dogs, not people.
1
Really appreciate this thread. The $$ linked to applying for a green card is a HUGE pressure. So is adjusting to the level of US bureaucracy. This is my 3rd time as an expat academic (1st TT role, but it’s the most challenging adaptation process.
2
Inter'l survey showed "immigrant academics" were more globally connected on all measures than "national academics" but this did not enhance career progress or job satisfaction DOI.ORG/10.26522/BROCK Anyone done similar analysis with newer dataset?
1
1
5
This is fascinating - I'm curious to find out too
1
Replying to
Thanks for throwing some light to these issues. I am tired of reading academia advices without considering these factors. They could be well-known, but never commented.
Cheers. You have a new follower here.
2
New to Twitter?
Sign up now to get your own personalized timeline!
Trending now
What’s happening
Entertainment
2 hours ago
綾瀬はるかさん主演ドラマ『元彼の遺言状』
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="240" height="135"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
Trending in Japan
南海トラフ
5,145 Tweets
集英社スポルティーバ
5 hours ago
【追悼】オシム監督の「考えて走る」の正体。格上をやっつける胸熱サッカー
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="120" height="90"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)
Trending in Japan
バニー服着用
1,044 Tweets
World news
LIVE
ロシア外務省 日本大使館の外交官ら8人追放へ
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="120" height="80"><rect fill-opacity="0"/></svg>)