@msvmp27 I can tell you right now that Berkshire is definitely the most accepting place that I have ever been. I know it sounds like I am exaggerating but it’s true! I love the school so much and I had so many amazing experiences that I would have never had if I hadn’t come. If you have any questions about the school feel free to pm me:) @doschicos That’s not what I’m saying at all. Obviously no kid is going to stay on campus for four years or not have the desire to leave campus, I was just saying that when you go to a school in a rural area and everything you love on campus is on campus, leaving to go to town isn’t always the most fun thing to do, especially if the town is extremely small and one street(which my school has) I wasn’t trying to downgrade your opinions I was just trying to explain them in my own words.
I think your daughter would be safe and feel welcome at most boarding schools. Having said that, there is no way I would send my child to the US right now if I lived elsewhere in the world. I think the situation here is volatile and potentially very dangerous, and likely to become ever more so.
@msvmp27 - Yes, WRA is the school my son goes to and they have a very welcoming community towards all international students. He is a senior this year. We will miss this school when he graduates, but he has had a wonderful high school experience and they have given him so much more than just an education in academic subjects. It is a warm and welcoming community for all students! Good luck on your decision. Please feel free to PM me anytime if you are looking at WRA or want more information on the school.
I am not sure this was brought up in the thread but calling the interior US “fly-over” country is rather dismissive to that area of our country. The residences that I know that live there take slight to it and it lends to the stereotype of the coastal part of the country looking down on them.
I don’t know if NMH was on the OP’s list, but they have one of the largest %s of international students including muslim students, and they have been very thoughtful and proactive re the current travel bans. Will post their Head of School’s guidelines here- might be useful for international families to read. If you search travel ban on the school website, they are also updating guidance regularly.
http://www.nmhschool.org/notice-regarding-international-travel-0
Thanks for posting, @chemmchimney. Below are few additional recommendations and tips from SPS:
Students should carry a printed itinerary for all legs of their trip. The use of phones may be prohibited in U.S. Customs areas, even to pull up travel information.
In addition to their passport, visa, and I-20, international students should carry a printed copy of their history of arrivals and departures from the U.S., demonstrating that their travel is regular and consistent with the School calendar. You can find this history on the I-94 website.
We advise travelers to stay informed about new developments restricting travel to the U.S. through the Department of Homeland Security Press Releases page. Although no students from the countries listed in the January travel ban are currently enrolled, students are advised to consult with an immigration lawyer and to be prepared for a tougher interview by U.S. Customs in the following cases:
You have dual citizenship, one being from a country on the travel ban list;
You are planning to visit one of these countries; or
Your passport has an entry stamp from any of these countries.
International students should also carry a letter from the Dean of Students and a 2016-17 Calendar Card, both of which will be issued and placed in students’ SPS P.O. boxes by March 1, 2017. This letter will include Dean on Duty contact information and may be of help in proving to the immigration officer that the traveler is enrolled and in good standing.
The customs process may now take longer than usual. Students should allow additional time at the airport as well as for connections inside the U.S. Travel agents are also reporting long lines at ticket counters and security checkpoints.
All students traveling outside of the U.S. should make sure to have a passport that will not expire for at least six months beyond planned travel dates.
Be aware of rules and changes for the airline you will be flying with, including age restrictions for unaccompanied travelers.
We ask that international students returning in the fall keep the letter from the Dean of Students with their travel documents, as it may prove useful at that time as well.
International students should also be sure that they meet any and all visa requirements, both for the country they will be visiting, and also to be able to return to the U.S.
All traveling students must have a heightened awareness of the importance of guarding their documents safely and following regular safety and security precautions.