By Alina Romanowski, US Ambassador to Kuwait

On behalf of the US Embassy, I would like to congratulate the Kuwaiti students who graduated from US universities as part of the class of 2020!  In addition, I welcome all Kuwaiti students who are back from universities in the United States, and extend my greetings to the Kuwaitis who are still studying in America. All of you have achieved a great milestone during a challenging time, and you and your families should be proud.  You are joining generations of Kuwaitis who studied in the United States and used that education to become leaders in their fields. 

Thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Higher Education, the Kuwaiti Cultural Office, and the National Union of Kuwaiti Students, Kuwaiti students in the US were able to receive food, financial support, and visa information during the COVID-19 crisis.  My staff at the US Embassy have been in frequent contact with students and their parents to answer their questions.  The US Department of Homeland Security helped students by allowing them to maintain their student status through online classes, and accepting electronic signatures on their I-20 forms.  US universities are providing high quality online education options and enabling international students to complete their academic year prior to departure.

We take great pride in having Kuwaitis study at top schools in the United States.  If you choose to study in the United States, you will not only receive a world-class education, but also valuable life experiences and an opportunity to build even more connections between our great nations. 

We are ready to support anyone interested in studying in the United States.  We know that the college application process this year will be affected by the COVID-19 situation.  Nonetheless, we can help make the process easier.  Please contact our Education Adviser at [email protected] for help with finding the right school for you.

I know that many students have questions about their visas and student status.  We have a video on our Instagram account (@USEmbassyQ8) that answers frequently asked questions, and you can also contact [email protected] with any other questions.  The Embassy’s visa officers will prioritize returning student visa applications when we resume visa operations. Once again to those returning, welcome back.  We wish you a safe and healthy summer!