Even though most international students, who make up 12.7 percent of Princeton undergraduates, cannot vote, many of them still sense the stakes of this election.
“Decisions that are made in the U.S. reverberate around the world,” Anuj Krishnan ’27 told The Daily Princetonian. Krishnan, who hails from Canada, serves as Whig-Clio Deputy President of the Senate and U-Councilor in the Undergraduate Student Government.
“I think a lot of students don’t realize it, but international students are really tuned-in as well, because what happens affects us just as much, even in some cases, disproportionately more, than American citizens,” he said.
This election matters to many international students at Princeton not only due to the international implications, but also to those who are personally affected by specific new policy implementation.
“I not only have family members who live in the U.S.,” Gil Joseph ’25 said, “but my stay in this country, if I decide to stay in the U.S., depends on a lot of policies.” Joseph wrote in an op-ed in the ‘Prince’ last week about how the Biden administration’s decision to extend Temporary Protected Status to migrants from his home country of Haiti allowed his aunt to secure refuge in the U.S.
“I think that we’ve grown to take [these policies] for granted, but they are tied to a lot of structures that can be changed,” he added.
Some students also noted the polarization of U.S. politics compared to that of other countries.
“I feel like in the U.S., it’s much more extreme, it’s very much one way or the other,” Sophie Williams ’27, of New Zealand, told the ‘Prince.’ “U.S. [politics] are very opposite ends of the spectrum.”
Krishnan suggested that international students can play an active role in the election just by encouraging their friends to vote. “The biggest thing that international students probably do is actually just talk to their American friends and see how their American friends are feeling and whether they voted, and making sure they vote,” he said.
Another international student, however, had a different perspective on how their involvement in this election and other domestic political matters would be interpreted.
“I chose to not get involved, because I feel that people might perceive it in a negative way, because it is not my country,” Anna Haberl ’28, of Austria, told the ‘Prince.’ Haberl emphasized the importance of being informed about national politics, but said she personally chose not to participate in on-campus groups and activities related to the election.
“I’m not the right person to talk to other voters to persuade them to vote for a certain party, because I do not have the same lived experience,” she said. “I haven’t lived here long enough to know, and I think that might even have a counterproductive effect of me getting directly involved with domestic voters in persuading them.”
Regardless of international students’ personal political involvement on campus, many voiced their excitement to be able to observe the U.S. election process.
“I’m super excited to be here during this time to get as many opinions in as possible, because I think understanding U.S. politics as an international student is crucial,” Haberl added.
Krishnan emphasized the importance of each eligible student at Princeton voting.
“You’re not just voting for yourself. You’re voting for the country, and in a lot of ways, you’re voting for so many things around the world,” he said. “You should think of not only yourselves, but think of others.”
Devon Rudolph is a News contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Luke Grippo is a News contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Lee drops 27 as men’s basketball rallies to win season opener against Iona
Hayk Yengibaryan and JP OhlLed by Lee, the Tigers used a 20–2 run in the second half to erase a 16-point deficit, holding on for a narrow win. Next up for the Tigers will be the second annual Jersey Jam against the Duquesne Dukes.
Led by Lee, the Tigers used a 20–2 run in the second half to erase a 16-point deficit, holding on for a narrow win. Next up for the Tigers will be the second annual Jersey Jam against the Duquesne Dukes.
When this election is over, let’s keep fighting for our rights
Asa Santos“But regardless of the result of the election, we must continue to fight for each other’s rights, to build community in spaces of resistance, and to work towards an equitable world. This starts by honoring the commitment and responsibility that we have to each other by continuing to engage in free advocacy and discourse at Princeton and beyond.”
“But regardless of the result of the election, we must continue to fight for each other’s rights, to build community in spaces of resistance, and to work towards an equitable world. This starts by honoring the commitment and responsibility that we have to each other by continuing to engage in free advocacy and discourse at Princeton and beyond.”
As votes are cast, Princeton professors predict presidential election outcomes
Sena ChangAs votes are cast in the election and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remain deadlocked, Princeton professors weigh in with their predictions and analyses.
As votes are cast in the election and Kamala Harris and Donald Trump remain deadlocked, Princeton professors weigh in with their predictions and analyses.
