Building a path to study treatment in the US

International Students
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Hey dear friends,

I discovered this amazing group and would really love some advice from experts and good people.

I’m 34 years old, not a U.S. citizen, and I don’t have a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma. I’ve been working in the mental health field in my country and with at-risk youth as a therapeutic counselor since 2019. I discovered my passion and calling in life, and my dream ever since has been to become a therapist and social worker.

Unfortunately, I have medical conditions and severe learning disabilities that prevent me from studying in my country, where there’s no flexibility in study programs (I must study and work 100% in the evenings – due to a sleep disorder, and I can’t do statistics or math – due to dyscalculia).

I’ve always wanted to move to the U.S., and in recent years, my goal has been to move to a country in order to become a therapist.

I’m trying to find a practical path. Right now, I’m considering doing a free bachelor’s degree in social sciences in my country and then going to the U.S. for further studies. The problem? The cost of degrees in the U.S. for international students is enormous and unrealistic for me – it would take me about a decade to save up… especially since I’m not allowed to work during the degree. I’m a bit lost. I’m not willing to give up on my dream of living in and being part of this amazing country and society, and I won’t give up on my dream of becoming a therapist either.

I would love your advice. ChatGPT told me that there are diploma programs in the U.S. like psychiatric technician, but in reality – that there’s no real chance of immigrating with that or getting a sponsor.

Even for a master’s in social work, it claims that chances are very low for foreigners…

I’d truly appreciate if you could shed some light – maybe I’m missing something, maybe there is a way?

I won’t be able to save up the massive amounts a master’s degree requires, but I can afford more affordable options like a diploma to start. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

Thank you so much !:folded_hands:t2:

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Unfortunately, the finances may prove to be an impossible obstacle

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Yes I think in the best case scenario - I could only recruit around 40K in 3 years of saving. That’s all the tuition- if I’m very very lucky.. but nothing else more.
Any creative ideas? no diploma in the field will get my visa later on? like psychiatric technician

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I have experience working with professionals who have MSW’s.

You have to have money to pay for graduate school, in addition to, having significant savings to live on, while you do full-time internships that don’t pay wages because they don’t have the money to pay new staff. The US is very expensive to pay rent, food, transportation and health insurance.

Many take our huge loans to pay for graduate school and training, then find that they can’t repay those loans on their wages. In the area where I reside, they are grossly overworked and underpaid. Yes they need them, but the pay wont justify the cost of living.

One of my colleagues asked me about work in my field and actually thought about taking our more loans to switch over to my field! She already owed $150K from her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D.

She couldn’t afford to buy a home and drove her father’s old truck. She lived in her childhood bedroom with her parents, husband and his two children. She was desperate to get out of debt and thought that a change in careers was the answer. I told her to pay off her debt and to stop spending money that she didn’t have.

I don’t think you will get a visa, to come to the US, to work in the area of Social Work because there are just too many MSW graduates and not enough jobs that pay sustainable wages.

Plus, as an international student, you don’t qualify for loans. As an international student you wont be able to stay after you complete your studies because an employer has to sponsor you.

Most of these social agencies receive state and federal funding, and just don’t have the extra funds to sponsor non-citizens. There are private clinics and agencies that hire social workers, but the salaries and positions available tend to be limited.
Figure 4 years of education (coursework, internships) at $60-70K per year.

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Thanks. Yes, welfare in the US is complicated and underestimated unfortunately. I know I can live way better in the EU, Canada or Australia- but I just love the US and Americas in general. I’ll never give up on my dreams.
Regarding the chances to survive financially and getting a sponsorship after the OPT - if I’ll compromise? I’ll go to a very poor place like somewhere south, like Nevada or something. Would you say it will still be impossible? just because there will always be enough Americans for the job and no chance for sponsorship?

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Which is it? Can you get a degree in your country…or not? In your first paragraph you state you cannot go to college in your country.

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I don’t believe social work qualifies for a stem opt F1 visa extension.

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How about working on those first?

No university, or graduate program in the US, will admit you, as a student, without a high school diploma equivalent or a bachelor’s degree.

You won’t get a US visa if you don’t have the money to pay for your education.
You won’t get a student US visa if your intent is to stay in the United States.

I suggest you take a class in geography, of the US, if you wish to learn about the US.

Nevada is considered to be in the “West”.

“Nevada” means “snowy” in Spanish; the state is geographically diverse-high mountains and high desert. The population is smaller because of climate, and the fact that the topography is varied and difficult/expensive to build.

The “South” is labeled for those states in the Southeastern portion of the US: and includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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OP- are there medical treatment options in your own country which would help with your sleep issues and allow you to get a degree?

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My bad, I suck at geography even in my own country.

Regarding the money +Bachelor -as I mentioned in my post - my research is not for the next year. I’m planning for the long term hence I believe in planning far+ dreaming too. This year I’m starting my bechlor+ saving money. I’m planning on moving to the US (if I don’t have luck which seems I don’t) to Australia to do my Masters/Diploma. And hopefully build a life after that.

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I’m starting an evening bachelor degree at an open uni. but that’s not really the best option. That’s the only thing I can do on my own schedule. no treatment for DSPS unfortunately, otherwise I was a social worker already.

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True, I meant I can only do meaningless degrees in the open uni in the evnings (which is not ideal). So I’ll start one in social sciences this year. doesn’t give me anything here or abroad but it’s good instead of the GED and universities in the world for relevant professional masters after.

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Yep. I’ve just asked chatgpt. again.. said that the only thing that will give me a working visa (low chance too) is Phd in the US. That’s really disappointing but it seems that witpute being a psychologist, you can’t really get a visa.