**What happened**
A report in Nature says US policymakers have proposed charging international students extremely high fees — reported in some coverage as up to $100,000 — for permission to undertake postgraduate or work placements after completing degrees. The proposal, if adopted, would create a major financial barrier for international graduates seeking to remain in the United States to gain practical experience or transition to long‑term employment.
**Impact on students from Jordan and the Middle East**
For Jordanian and regional applicants weighing US study options, the proposal changes the calculus: staying in the US after graduation could become prohibitively expensive for many families and scholarship recipients. Students who had planned to use post‑study work rights to gain experience, build resumes, or convert to employment‑based visas may need to reconsider those plans and examine alternatives. Institutions and local economies that rely on international tuition and graduate contributions would also feel effects, as other reporting has already shown in U.S. states and UK contexts.
**Practical steps students should take now**
- Pause assumptions about post‑study work in the US: do not rely on long‑term stay as part of your immediate study plan unless confirmed in writing by your university/employer.
- Contact universities and sponsors to confirm funding guarantees, on‑campus employment rules, and any institutional responses to the proposal. If you already hold an offer, ask about deferral, fully funded pathways, or on‑campus employment options.
- Monitor official US sources (Department of Homeland Security, Department of State) and university international offices for formal rulemaking, public comment periods, and implementation timelines. Consider legal advice for visa questions.
**Consider study alternatives and how Shatnawi can help**
Students should review lower‑cost, career‑focused alternatives that still lead to recognized degrees. For medical and dental applicants, Georgia (Batumi & Tbilisi) remains a common pathway with WHO/EU‑recognized, English‑medium programs from around $4,000 per year. Students preferring to study closer to home can use Jordanian options: Shatnawi places students in more than 30 Jordanian universities and partners offering discounts — for example, a 10% registration discount at Applied Science Private University (ASU), 20% at University of Jordan (UJ), and 25% at Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST). Shatnawi for College Admissions & Academic Consultations in Amman can assist with scholarship matching, application strategy, exam preparation (IELTS, SAT, IB, AP), and document equivalency (service fee 70 JOD) to pivot quickly if US plans change.
**Timing and next actions**
If you are in the application pipeline for US programs, notify your admissions office and scholarship sponsors immediately and request written confirmation of any financial commitments. If you are already in the US, check with your university's international student office about pending rule changes and possible protections. For those reconsidering destinations, begin application plans now for Georgia, Turkey, Egypt or Jordan — admission cycles and scholarship deadlines vary and can be tight. For help evaluating options, financial planning, or switching applications, contact Shatnawi via WhatsApp +962791888699 or visit shatnawiedu.com for guidance.