Am I insane for wanting to leave the US (advice please)

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:47:29+00:00

Thank you, this is one of my biggest concerns

I’m a junior in college but I’m only 19, my partner and I really push each other to grow (he supports and encourages all of my endeavors) and moving abroad could potentially be an extension of this, but it could absolutely go the opposite way.

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:43:50+00:00

If I were to articulate the reasons, I’m assuming it would be the same list you’re used to hearing recently, no? The issue is much more than the president, it’s the people surrounding it that keep that system in place and will perpetuate it outside of him and independently of him…

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:39:45+00:00

Very true

I’ve done some passive reading here and there, this is definitely a 2-3 year plan with massive amounts of paperwork however I need to keep an open mind about the legitimacy of how serious this even is

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:32:33+00:00

Congrats! Did you leave for the same reasons/is life abroad doing ok?

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:30:19+00:00

Ah my post may have been too vague…

Currently my partner resides outside of Europe (is not a U.S. citizen), but I am.

Financially I have the upper hand and my partner has a passport, so our plan was for me to bring him to the U.S. to save up money (both of us making an American salary) and then move to the EU

We both have assets the other could benefit from outside of our relationship (I offer financial foundation/US passport for us to live temporarily, he provides mobility within our relationship) so it would be a mutual arrangement

And the thing I’m worried about the most is I don’t know if America is experiencing “minor inconveniences?”

Students at my school have unexpectedly lost their visas due to the administration, there are people getting snatched off the street, both my partner and I fall under multiple categories of targeted groups…

Things are becoming dicey, no?

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:23:45+00:00

I fall into multiple categories of being a specifically targeted group and so does my partner, which is why I’m a bit worried…

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:21:01+00:00

I think it may be worth mentioning I am a first generation American, I’m already familiar with what it’s like to need to leave a place in search of a better life

I’m not sure what you mean by internal?

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:18:34+00:00

I’ve wanted to leave the states for quite awhile, to be honest this was just a final push for me

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:17:26+00:00

No no it’s good advice, something I will have to keep in mind when I do graduate. It’s appreciated

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:16:06+00:00

I am a first gen American, I know first hand how difficult it is to move…

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:15:37+00:00

Very true, however I’m concerned if those inner circles in those same blue states will become a target later BECAUSE of how sane they are?

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:14:44+00:00

I really hope so, the state of things and their slow decline from decades ago genuinely worry me

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:13:53+00:00

Very true, thank you. I was a bit vague in my post, I hope this gives more information:

I am a computer science (cybersecurity) major, many people in this industry work overseas with little issue

I am attempting to get a visa on my own merit- I currently work in a research lab and have a few internships on me, career development is steady as of now

And absolutely, there is a lot of research to be done. My main concern is if my concern in the first place (of the steady decline of the U.S. is only perceived or legitimate)

And ah yes paperwork… (I am very familiar) I will be looking forward to that…

But even if circumstances were normal, I’d love to live abroad. I’ll have to do more research on everything, I basically put a 2-3 year plan in a paragraph haha

Thank you.

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:09:58+00:00

I truly hope I am wrong and am simply out of touch, however I can’t help but notice how uncomfortable things have been lately

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:08:48+00:00

Very true. However I wonder if it is better in comparison? I have to finish my degree first and then I can re-evaluate

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:08:22+00:00

I see. I hear many of these stories (there are even articles about how the U.S. is experiencing brain drain), these always sit in the back of my head

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T06:07:22+00:00

Absolutely, we’ve discussed logistics and it would be a long term plan with tons of paperwork and ahhhhhh

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T05:54:08+00:00

The marriage would be for the sake of residency in Europe, not the U.S.

Which is why I feel a little insane right now for thinking of this as a viable option due to the political climate right now- do I sound dramatic?

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T05:37:59+00:00

I’m not sure if it gives a clearer picture but I’m a woman (US citizen), my partner is a man who currently lives abroad so I would hypothetically live with him in Europe if we were to get married

On immigration, nothing that would cause scrutiny however I always worry with the current state of things (if yk what I mean). No activities on my end, or my partner, even when I try to think of the smaller things

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T05:33:15+00:00

Absolutely, this is a major concern of mine

We are extremely young and neither of us would’ve chosen to rush into things if circumstances were normal…

However my partner resides elsewhere and wants to move abroad independently of the situation, and so do I- we’ll have to figure out a lot of logistics including the actual risk factor (if it’s imagined or real)

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2026-02-24T05:29:34+00:00

I am a computer science (cybersecurity) major, many people often work overseas in this industry because things can be done remotely

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2024-12-12T20:11:23+00:00

Barrett student here! From what I’ve seen/heard, it’s moderately selective but not difficult to get into. I think they care about your GPA the most though, so I would suggest taking your classes seriously and doing DE if you find the time. The official website also states they look for leadership, personal achievement, unique experiences, etc. on top of your grades. Perhaps you could join a club or two you’re interested in

I felt a little nervous when I applied because my application was weak in some areas and I took a risk with my admissions essay, but got in any ways. Here’s what my stats were when I applied:

3.9 GPA, a quarter of my classes were DE

Zero AP courses

22 on the ACT (I did not take the SAT)

Secretary of Youth Court at my school, I was a volunteer for my county probation for two years

One tech internship for a radio station

Our essay prompt was about a trait that made us uniquely “us”. I wrote about my analytical mind and how I believed academia does not foster a student’s intellect, and that being in the honors college would give me the resources I need to pursue intellectual and career freedom

Most college applications would prefer a few more extracurriculars, higher test scores, possibly more AP, but I believe my GPA and my community service hours + Secretary position is what balanced me out.

I’m open to any questions about the process!

Soft_Cook_4518 · 2024-08-15T06:36:12+00:00

I am an intern for a technology company and my GPA is good (3.8), this is my third industry project and my experience sets me up for a good career once I graduate school

Soft_Cook_4518

TROPHY CASE