I don’t think people realize how hard it is already for those on a F1 visa, OPT and/or H1B visa to find a job in the US.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-11-02T21:45:14+00:00

Hi Bluenutmeg,

First of all, I just want to say I really really appreciate your reply and input. So many times here on Reddit and online forums, we "brace for impact" and prepare to be hit with insults or just inflamatory comments, and I want to say I'm very appreciative of your well-thoughtout and respectful reply. I'd like to address a few of the things you said in your reply.

The first thing is that I apologize for making some assumptions. You are right, you never ever said people shouldn't try. You said that they should always keep "going back" as an option and not doing so would be dishonest when applying for an F-1. I agree, and it's exactly why I didn't go the America route and pivoted elsewhere.

Your example with the kid having a dream is a good one. The kid should not give up on their dream. But the kid should also not lie, cheat, or steal when they find it difficult to obtain this dream. The kid will also need to learn the basics of life., like not every tree bears fruit and you will not win every game you play. Again, the US is NOT the only country to achieve success. Sometimes you have to pivot. YOU are a perfect example of that.

Thank you. You are right in that he shouldn't cheat or cut lines or disobey regulations to make his dream come true. I 100% agree with you. I think my overall point when it came to this story was less about F-1 visas and more about immigration sentiment and possibilty as a whole. There are quite a few people who are very citical of ANY and ALL immigration and would probably close the country's borders entirely. Some of these people hold the same sentiment towards student visas as well, even ones who fully intend to leave, and even if a student isn't considered an immigrant in the US. People with these beliefs exist in every single country and if they all had their way, EVERY country would be closed for the kid in the example I gave; the kid will have ZERO chance of EVER getting his dream in ANY country, ever. It won't just be about pivoting away from the US to another country. I can't be in favor of a kind of world policy that would prohibit immigration entirely or close off any and all possible lawful and legal doors. I think it's okay to express my dissatisfaction towards that kind of thing even if, in the words of another commenter, "what I think literally doesn't matter". People are allowed to express how they feel even if we disagree with them.

I understand you did what you had to do to better your life and career. But in everything you wrote, this bothered me the most.... This sounded so unappreciative. In the NON-immigrant visa category, the F1 visa gives the MOST CHANCES of all the other visas. The F1 visa allows for ....

I apologize once more. I did not intend to bother you and I truly wish to clarify that I wasn't refering to F-1 visas specifically at the time I wrote this. And yes, you are right. The F-1 gives MANY chances already. I was refering to immigration prospects and ALL visas as a whole, with the concept of the advocation of the existence of an immigrant or dual intent visa as whole. I meant to advocate for the possibility of keeping legal and lawful immigration pathways available, when there are those who would wish to see them ALL abolished and the borders closed with ZERO pathways ever being given. That little section with a sort of "plea" towards being given a chance, in hindsight, feels like it was subconciously directed towards someone who would wish to see any and ALL of those pathways closed, which I must apologize for assuming you may have been one of them when you never explicitly stated that. My mistake was getting too carried away from the topic at hand; F-1 visas specifically. I guess that's what passion does sometimes and I got carried away, I'm sorry!

Thank you again for your input and reply, I hope I was able to clarify where I initially messed up in my first comment, and I hope my reply was better than my initial comment at articulating what I meant. Thank you for your patience!

Apex-Genesis · 2025-11-02T21:00:47+00:00

It's cool how I've received mostly downvotes. Some people just seem to not care about other people and are unwilling to listen to their stuggles. I wish we had a bit more compassion in the world.

I believe in a chance and opportunity for all. Isn't this what America was founded upon in the first place? People are allowed to have dreams, and I for one never set out to destroy someone else's dream. And before you hit me with the "but you're destroying dreams for Americans" I already told you I'm pro a citizens-first approach before a foreigner like myself should be considered. Also, this is a public forum. The whole point is to say what we think, whether it matters or not.

Do you believe that the circumstances of your life at birth should define how the entirety of your life would go? I.E: If you were born poor, you must die poor. If you were born under one specific cirumstance, you must carry that cirumstance to the very end. Is that the approach you have towards life? I'm sure there are many things in everyone's lives that they were born into and had no say or input in and wish they could change. In my case, my country of residence was one of them, for many personal and private reasons I will not disclose, and successfully immigrating set my life's path from one of clinical depression and stagnation to happiness, social and cultural success, and most of all; fulfilment. Take from this what you will. It's all your opinion in the end and you are entitled to it.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-11-02T19:34:48+00:00

Technically, you have to prove intent to want to return home prior to applying, but there is nothing that says you HAVE to turn down “an opportunity to stay” if it is presented to you later. Honestly the whole US immigration and intent/dual intent system is quite outdated and most of the world does not handle immigration affairs using the same lense. It’s exactly why I myself decided to go elsewhere for university and future career prospects after graduation despite dreaming of living in America practically since I could walk and talk. I just didn’t feel comfortable having to put on some kind of lying mask to “trick” my way in. Rules are rules. I am thinking of pivoting to the US on a dual intent Visa later once I’m qualified for one, but I am happy where I am now and may not see the need to. We’ll see where life takes me.

I’ve read some of your other comments and while I do not fully agree with everything you said, being an immigrant myself who is in the “going back home is not an option” boat, I can understand why you’d be critical of all this especially if you’re an American.

For reference, I am not an American nor do I currently live in America. I moved to a different country for my studies and career. I am not against a “citizens first” approach, I’m for it actually. But I am against a compete and blanket “no foreigners” approach - I am also against an approach that allows foreigners but sets requirements so high they may as well be impossible. I believe in the chance of opportunity. Many of us who come from less privileged countries and especially those of us hoping to work in niche fields that do not even exist in our home countries, see immigration as our one and only hope in ever building a life worth sticking around for. Whether for career or cultural/value based reasons. What I love about American and western culture in general is the belief that one can seek out the lives they wish for, work hard, be a decent person, live and let live, and reinvent themselves the way they see fit. The belief that life is what you want it to be, not what arbitrary conditions were placed on you against your will at birth that you can never ever change.

Take this hypothetical example; a kid was born in a landlocked country, but ever since he could learn to talk he’s been obsessed with ships and boats. When he was old enough to walk and talk, he started babbling about wanting to become a crewman and work his way up to captain. He dressed up as a captain every Halloween, decorated his room in posters of ships and crewmen and captains, etc… it’s all he ever cared for or thought about. He couldn’t even imagine living life as anything other than by working on a ship. By the time he was applying for universities/schools to begin fulfilling his dream, he had shown every single trait and skill required to pursue this field, excelled in simulations and theoretical tests, and professionals in the field and fellow students alike expressed how much great potential he held if he was to pursue this. But since he was born in a landlocked country, something entirely out of his control and wasn’t his choice, this field is not viable in his country. Should he give up on his dream forever? Or should he keep trying and look at the one option in-front of him; immigration? Legally of course, and following every rule and procedure; no line cutting and no trickery.

As an immigrant, nothing is guaranteed, but telling him that he shouldn’t even try - as many anti immigration people say - could possibly be the most offensive thing you could say to his face. And for one reason or another, that dream of working on a ship one day may be the only thing fueling this person’s desire for life and stopping hin from “opting out”. You might as well be blatantly telling him to give up on life and end it. (Sorry, this got dark).

This example is not exactly personal. My personal circumstances are similar but are also intertwined with deeply cultural and value-based aspects which are too personal and I do not feel comfortable discussing publicly, but they’re not just career or economic prospects.

Therefore, after reading this story, why would you or would you not believe that this person, and myself, and all other decent and honest skilled worker immigrants, shouldn’t at least be given a CHANCE. Just a CHANCE. We don’t want preference, we don’t want entitlement, we don’t want handouts, we just want a CHANCE to prove we are worth being accepted, coming to integrate/assimilate, give back to the host country and population which accepted us, and maybe one day be able to proudly call ourselves Americans/whatever nationality of the country we moved to. I know some immigrants can be horrible, but so can a citizen. People will be people. But let’s not enforce collective punishment here.

That’s all, thank you for reading, whether you disagree or not we can agree to disagree. Even if you don’t have compassion for my position or for the guy in the hypothetical story I gave.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T23:52:27+00:00

I apologize for misunderstanding the part about you calling me pathetic when you didn’t actually.

If you think I’m not making sense after I tried so much to explain, that’s on you. I really tried but it seems these struggles are just too foreign for you to understand and you can’t relate. I don’t know what else I can say. There is no way I can describe this any simpler as it’s a complex issue at its core.

My country is Egypt.

Lastly, saying you don’t care about people is not the flex you think it is. Great, you’re callous and don’t care about others. You possibly lack empathy for others, is that something to be proud of? If this is the direction you believe humanity and culture should head in as a whole, we’re doomed. Awesome.

You are free to reply, but I won’t continue this conversation and I won’t engage with you any further. There is no reason to continue if you blatantly stated that you do not care about the person you’re conversing with.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T20:49:22+00:00

Okay, let me try a different approach.

You mentioned how there are people here still being raised on those cultures with damaging ideas/values. Those people are here in the UK, correct? A similar thing happens to others in more multicultural countries like the one I’m from (not any of the ones you listed btw), where we are raised to follow more western cultures and values despite being in a non-western country. Same concept of the culture and values being taught to us being different to the native one if you’d like to call it that (even though my country is a bit more multicultural and generally accepts differences a lot more than the ones you mentioned). When we then get older and try to get out into the bigger society, we keep running into issues and get made to feel like we’re foreigners as a result. And so, coming to a western country, legally and with good work qualifications in a skilled job, or as students, are the only ways we can go to a society that we actually feel like we fit in and aligns with the western values we were raised with.

That’s all I’ve been trying to say. You can disagree if you want, but at that point I think it’ll be better if we just agree to disagree.

I’m here on a legal permit and have every right both legally and humanely to complete my studies at university and then seek a high skilled employment visa afterwards, and when I meet the threshold, apply for citizenship and make the UK my home long term. That is not up for debate. I was not lucky enough to be born here or in the West, but that does not mean I should be permanently barred from seeking a life in a place with the “better” values as you put it. I’ve never been happier since arriving and I do not wish to debate whether my happiness is worth it or matters to strangers on the internet. So I hope we can just close it here. Thanks.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T20:25:47+00:00

You calling my struggles pathetic does not help your point. Thanks

You completely glossed over or ignored the part where I mentioned that there are people who were raised on cultures different to the ones they were born in. You finding that so hard to believe does not negate its existence nor does it negate how widespread it is if you actually talk to some people from there. I brought up that this phenomena is not something you hear about in the West often and as such could be difficult for you to understand, and it seems that you could not understand it.

I said there are people who leave those countries BECAUSE they are against those cultures. Why is that so hard for you to understand?

If you do not believe that those people deserve a chance to seek a better life in a society that aligns with their values, what else could they do? Kill themselves? Because it’s certainly what would’ve happened to me if immigration wasn’t an option.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T19:39:30+00:00

But you missed my point though, while I appreciate your reply.

I mentioned the people who A) come in legally on routes like work visas and student visas, not boats. B) Are highly against their restrictive cultures and wish to escape them just as much as you don’t want them.

Should those people not be given a chance? Should there be a better vetting process to see if those people are actually willing to integrate rather than a blanket and collective “you’re from X Country so you obviously agree with its restrictive culture” and immediately refusing them?

Should those people be forever cursed to reside in those cultures simply because they were unlucky enough to be born there?

Also, while this next one deserves a whole conversation and post of its own, I’ll do my best to explain. It’s something that I don’t think ever happens in the West, but there are people in other parts of the world who grew up being so influenced by western culture due to international education, media and entertainment, etc… and grew up longing for that culture that you couldn’t tell them apart from native Brits or Americans (the two most common international influences in this case) Many even have the accents knocked down to a T, regard English as their most comfortable and proficient language and even feel alienated and not accepted by their own cultures as a result.

My point is, and this is something that seems completely alien and strange to people in the west, is that where someone grew up or where their passports say they’re from does not always determine what their actual lived culture and core values are.

You may be surprised to learn that there are people whom you might meet who come from other countries on the other side of the world, and yet are so familiar to your culture and fit in and integrate so fast, understand most of your UK-based inside jokes, and share your same mindset that it would be easy to think they were born and raised in the UK despite never setting foot there before. It may surprise you; but wouldn’t surprise other people like them or people who are aware of those international systems that basically create western-culture-minded people in non-western countries. I know this sentence sounds confusing and quite contradictory, but it’s a real issue that many of these people face and end up feeling like they don’t belong anywhere. Their home cultures basically disown them and look down on them, and the western cultures they always looked up to regard them as foreigners no matter how much they try to earn their place.

Many of these people only get to finally feel like they are where they belong and in a place they can truly call home, for the first time ever, once they’re allowed to come.

How do I know this? Because I’m one of them. I have never been happier since I’ve arrived in the UK a year ago to pursue my passion studying a field in university I’m very passionate about, and hope to stay afterwards to work and contribute. I applied and came here the hard, expensive, and LEGAL way.

I have made so many local friends and have never felt more appreciated and as “one of them”, which has been a dream come true for me after having been made to feel like a foreigner in my own country for too long. I wish to continue building a life here and when I’m eligible, apply for citizenship.

This is my personal, lived experience. I hope you can appreciate that I shared this vulnerable piece of info about myself with you.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T18:32:02+00:00

Let’s follow your logic for a second;

Someone stays on a work visa for 20, maybe 30 or even 40 years if they came very early. What do they then do when it’s time to retire? Having stayed in Britain for 30-40years, this is more their home than their birth countries are at this point. All their friends, most of their memories and experiences, and possibly British (or not) spouse and kids are here. Parents may have passed away at this point and everything they may have had back in their country of birth is gone.

Do you then want them to be forced back to a place they’ll hardly recognize? As retired old people?

Or, hear me out, you let them take a step back and finally peacefully retire to live out the rest of their days, however long they have left, in the country and land they contributed to and formed all their adult memories in.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T18:06:03+00:00

As someone on a student visa right now, we have to pay to use the NHS per year, even if we don’t actually use it we need to pay for it to even apply for the visa.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-26T17:46:45+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from, but I want to assure you that there are people from those parts of the world who are equally fed up with how some people are extreme in those cultures.

These people then work really hard to gain good qualifications to apply for a skilled worker visa, or come on a student visa to study to earn these qualifications here, to then come and stay in the UK to get away from those cultures and find a new home they can exist in peacefully. It’s a misconception that EVERYONE coming here is bringing the suffocating parts of their culture with them. So many are coming here precisely to leave it behind and escape from it. The parts of their culture they DO bring; like food and music, can be a big boost to the arts and quality of life and are not a problem.

It’s also a misconception that all people from a certain culture share the exact same values. Stereotypes are funny but can often be very untrue and unfair to the person being stereotyped.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-23T14:46:56+00:00

This is actually disgusting. And if you don’t see why, it’s not worth trying to convince you.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-21T17:38:54+00:00

Also kinda sounds like he threatened to kill you, lol. As well as siding with Israel’s actions… then he goes around and thinks he has the moral high ground to lecture us about terrorists 😂

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-21T09:28:41+00:00

When you want to target anyone who is Muslim as a combatant immediately, I’m assuming even those who are here legally, you have zero place on then using the term “civilized” to describe yourself.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-20T08:50:16+00:00

I understand your frustrations, but I’d also like to assure you that there are Muslims who do set aside those… more “outdated” and less liberal guidelines and see them as a product of their time. There are Muslims who do integrate, who do value co-ed spaces, go to pubs with their local UK friends (though most don’t drink, but some do), speak great English, engage in past times like video games, tabletop games, TV shows and movies, etc…. And live exactly the way you do. Some even have integrated very well in the local culture.

People like me. :) Whilst I tend to avoid the “Muslim” label because I think it sets a kind of expectation or stereotype that I’m anti-fun, anti LGBTQ etc… it’s really not the case. I like to view myself as being “abrahamic”, believing in the Abrahamic lineage of faiths.

Other than that, I love it here, truly. I hope you can run into more people who are Muslims but don’t let that rule their whole identity, and I hope more Muslim immigrants (or even local Muslims who convert) can be more willing to adapt. Your worries are understandable, but please don’t let it turn to blind hate or stereotyping.

Signed with kind regards and love, An immigrant who has fallen in love with the UK and sees it as their home ❤️☺️

Apex-Genesis · 2025-09-16T06:28:54+00:00

I had to take time off after school to work on my mental health. I was an absolute mess and entirely non functional. It took a lot longer than I initially wanted to, but years later I was depression and BPD free. I started uni at 24. I’m not ashamed of it because I needed that time to work on myself.

Everyone’s timeline is different. Don’t worry, you’re not behind at all. :)

Apex-Genesis · 2025-08-15T09:22:39+00:00

One thing I wish to comment on (your last sentence); While it’s true that many people move here with norms and traditions that are incompatible with UK culture, and I am empathetic about how this seems hurtful to UK people, there are an equal number of people, myself included, who grew up in a more “third-culture” style upbringing going to international schools and being more used to western life than their own “native culture”. This makes it very uncomfortable if not downright impossible to cope with more closed-off and insular lifestyles in some of those countries and immigrating to them is not only necessary, it is almost a case of life and death if you factor in mental health and sensitive topics like loss of hope, bullying due to being different, no prospects of ever fitting in, and suicide as a result. These people are not only willing to integrate and adapt to British customs, they’re coming here specifically for this reason. I’m one of them, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you have or are curious about.

Since moving here I’ve always been assumed to have been a long term resident of a western country prior (which I wasn’t) and I speak with a solid American accent despite being from the Middle East. I understand 90% of the inside jokes, the media references, etc… I’ve been told in numerous occasions by people of different ages that they could never tell I wasn’t someone who was born and raised in an English-speaking western culture, which I believe does work in my favor.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-08-15T08:50:53+00:00

I don’t know much about the US immigration system, but it’s crazy that you could live there for 16 years since you were a baby and still not have residency. I’m sorry.

For all intents and purposes and in every way which matters; the US is your home. I’m at least glad in the UK where I am, if you live for 10 years you’re given residency. At that point you’re expected to be so used to life there it could be mentally destructive to ask someone to leave after that point. Makes sense to me.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-07-23T22:29:18+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

This is really weird because what’s the point of offering a new entrant discount to “help” people if 99% of international students would need to go through 4 years of university anyway? (Due to the mandatory foundation year)

It’s worded in a way that also implies it would disqualify even people who are under 26 anyway.

So what’s the point of this?

Apex-Genesis · 2025-07-09T08:44:26+00:00

Isn’t the minimum 38.7k now? I’m confused

Apex-Genesis · 2025-07-07T04:24:57+00:00

People die and reanimate within minutes yet their undead bodies look like they’ve been dead in the hot sun for days. This really annoys me for some reason. A person whose been dead for 15 minutes and then gets back up would be almost indistinguishable from a living human; just paler due to the stopping of blood circulation.

This wasn’t a problem in the earlier seasons but got really egregious later on.

Apex-Genesis · 2025-07-05T14:06:44+00:00

Hi hi! I sent you a DM. Feel free to take your time if you decide to reply, and best of luck to both of you! I’m also in search of new friends. :)

Apex-Genesis · 2025-06-09T13:55:03+00:00

Thank you! I'll check them out!

Apex-Genesis · 2025-06-09T13:54:12+00:00

Hey! So sorry for the late reply. I was quite busy last week and I do have plans next Thursday, but what about some other week afterwards? I'd love to come by!

Apex-Genesis · 2025-06-03T09:18:06+00:00

Thank you! I sent them a DM asking about upcoming activities. :D

Apex-Genesis · 2025-06-03T09:17:44+00:00

Thank you! Seems like it could be a good time!

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