A World of Challenges: International Students in The Landscape of Neuropsychology Training.

Introduction: International students pursuing neuropsychology training in the U.S. face unique and multifaceted challenges that impact their academic, clinical, and professional development. This paper provides an overview and definitions of issues relevant to international students, with special focus on those enrolled in doctoral programs with an emphasis on neuropsychology.

Methods: To complement a review of guidelines and issues, an online survey sampled 37 students from different regions. Participants provided information about their experiences and recommendations to improve the climate of support and outcomes for international doctoral students in clinical neuropsychology programs.

Results: Key challenges include navigating visa regulations, financial constraints, cultural adjustment, language barriers, and limited institutional support. Notably, 75% of participants reported difficulties with visa and immigration requirements, whereas 78% highlighted financial challenges as significant obstacles. Language-related issues, including academic writing and oral communication, were reported by 48% of the participants, which were exacerbated by limited institutional resources. Participants also identified gaps in mentorship and opportunities compared to domestic students, with many perceiving low preparedness for securing clinical placements, internships, and postdoctoral fellowships. Participants utilized strategies such as networking, self-driven research, and mentorship to overcome barriers. Recommendations for improving the training experience include increased support for visa navigation, responsive mentorship, and supportive language resources at program and institutional levels. Advocacy for policy changes, such as designating clinical psychology as a STEM discipline to expand OPT eligibility, is also critical.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the critical need for systemic changes within graduate programs and broader policy frameworks to support international students in adhering to visa stipulations, managing financial burdens, overcoming language barriers, and securing internships and fellowships. Addressing these barriers would benefit international trainees and strengthen the field by broadening perspectives and improving practice and research.