As the clock counts down to Nov. 5 and voter registration deadlines pass, final pushes for voter mobilization and candidate promotion are underway — but some Colgate University students can only observe from the sidelines. International students represent nine percent of the Colgate class of 2023; they live and study in America and are affected by American foreign policy, the visa system, individual rights and international relations in general, but they do not have a voice in American elections. How do they feel about that reality?
Senior Ruben M. Kollman, a Slovenian citizen, expressed how his identity partially shields him from short-term impact, but also emphasized how he sees connections between the upcoming presidential election and the global political structure.
“I’m in a very privileged position [as someone who is] white and a man, and I only plan on living in deeply blue states, so the presidential outcome will not really directly affect me,” Kollman said. “I’m certainly worried about the structural damage that a Trump presidency would cause, both to the U.S. internationally and to domestic institutions.”
Students — especially those who are members of minority communities — are also monitoring the status of their civil rights and liberties as people who live (even temporarily) in the United States. Shloka Subramaniam, an Indian citizen, sees the elections as deeply important on a political and a personal level.
“I think the candidates’ different stances on immigration will definitely affect my future, since I plan to work in the U.S. for at least a few years once I graduate from college,” Subramaniam said. “Further, as a queer woman of color, my safety once I leave the Colgate bubble is also something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.”
An emergent concern, highlighted by Kollman and echoed by senior Yitian Liu, a Chinese citizen, is international students’ ability to live and work in the U.S. post-graduation.
“I do think the election could impact international students like me, especially those from China,” Liu said. “U.S.-China relations have a direct effect on my future plans, from academic to career opportunities, so I’m always keeping an eye on these shifts […] I try to stay optimistic, though, trusting that there’ll be a way forward no matter who’s elected.”
Some students hold dual citizenship and are citizens of the United States and another country. Senior Despina Anastasiou, who is both a Greek and American citizen, feels the effects of U.S. elections both as an American voter and because of the implications the election could have for American-Greek relations.
“As a dual citizen of Greece and the United States, I understand that the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections will significantly impact foreign affairs for both countries, especially regarding U.S. relations with the European Union and NATO,” Anastasiou said. “The winning candidate’s policies will influence Greece’s position in the region and I feel a unique sense of responsibility and connection to vote in a way that will positively impact both countries during the upcoming U.S. elections.”
Increased political discourse due to the election also serves to further highlight the differences between the American electoral system and the other countries represented by students.
“Being here as a student from China during election season has been really interesting,” Liu said. “The ways people engage in politics and discuss their beliefs are different from what I’m used to, and it’s made me think about the strengths and weaknesses of different systems. In China, people often find leaders with distinctive personalities intriguing because they’re not as common, while in the U.S., being relatable is more central. I also find myself a bit more reserved in political discussions, trying to respect others’ perspectives, especially since I’m still learning how open people are to different political views.”
When elections dominate the discourse, it can be isolating for students who cannot vote in them. On the other hand, some international students may also feel the weight of the election somewhat less than their American counterparts.
“It’s weird not being able to vote when everyone is consumed with elections; as an observer, it sort of feels like watching a game that everyone has a lot of money bet on, and I don’t,” Kollman said. “As an observer, I maybe feel free to be a bit too flippant about U.S. elections.”
In today’s polarized age, elections carry heavier weight than ever. Annabel Poitras, a Canadian citizen, sees American elections as a referendum on the US..’s democratic status and their respect for her rights.
“As a woman, this election is the most important in our history, and I hope that my American friends have exercised their right to vote and have a voice because democracy in the U.S. is also at stake,” Poitras said.
Just because someone cannot vote does not mean they have no stake or interest in the elections, and for some students, the very opposite is true.
“Even though I can’t vote, I feel connected to what’s happening here because the policy changes that come with each administration can shape our experiences and options,” Liu said. “The perspective of ‘outsider’ actually gives me a chance to take a step back and think about both candidates critically without much personal bias. I’ve watched both debates in full, and I found it interesting to analyze the candidates’ words and body language without partisan bias. It’s a unique chance to see how different communication styles impact the audience, which ties into what I’ve learned in psychology.”
Election anxiety is contagious, and many students are still informed even if they cannot vote.
“I’ve been paying too much attention to the election, both to national polls and local state races; I have been inundated with both pro and anti-John Mannion and Brandon Williams ads,” Kollman added. “In regards to the presidential elections, I’ve been paying attention to the broad strokes of the discussions — Harris’ response to Gaza has been particularly weak in my opinion.”
Subramaniam drove home the reality that, despite not being a citizen, the American election season anxiety is contagious and ever-present.
“There’s definitely a lot of tension and uncertainty that I’ve been feeling from my American friends, peers and professors who will be voting in this election,” Subramaniam said. “I might be biased because this is my first time being in the U.S. during a presidential election, but it does feel like there’s a lot more at stake this time, with reproductive rights being a big one.”
