E3only

You guys are cool..It took 40 odd posts for you lot to convince them
to get married

problem solved.

fatbrit

We certainly do -- provided it doesn't end in a kid with a ginger nonce.

mplimasol

really, i appreciate the help, but not the sarcasm. i have expressed that i would really, really, really like to do this another way, one that doesn't potentially involve ruining each others' lives.

my sister's friend D, from the ukraine, told her that he was "sponsored" by a professor in the university. i'm not entirely sure what that entails. i know that D had an assistanceship because he did research for a team and also taught undergraduate labs, but what makes the prof a "sponsor" of him, i'm not sure - i don't know if the prof provided him with living expenses, thus knocking out one of the requirements for a student visa (basically, the proof that you're going to have a means of financial support). she said that she would talk to him and find out how he got over here.

another student that i know, H, has family that works for the uni, so that doesn't apply.

dbj1000

Aaaw! You don't appreciate sarcasm? Then what possessed you to start talking to a bunch of Brits?!

mplimasol

yes, yes, all fine and good, you lot are known for it - i've seen your tv programs.

but brits are also, on the whole, i would think, smart, so thought you to be a good resource for information, which, as a student, i am always desperate for.

Tracym

If you have a Brit boyfriend - learn to enjoy the sarcasm!

It is pretty funny really...

Perhaps your school will have something for him - what the regular posters are telling you (in their sarcastic way ) is that the easiest way to get over here and stay here is through marriage.

Of course, if you two are not ready for marriage, you shouldn't do it - but you already know that.

See what the school has to say and get back to us.

The posters here WILL help you - with a few wisecracks interspersed. Giggle and move on...

mplimasol

yes, i agree, it has been much much help.

P isn't too sarcastic, however. he's more... breaks into random labyrinth quotes and is overall adorable.

talking to the school today, will report back.

MsElui

smart maybe but not magical. We cant make a route up for him that doesnt already exist.

We have told you the questions you need to get answered so you can decide if the student visa is the way forward or not. If its not the way forward then he either marries you or you come to england - or it will be a long distance relationship for a while.

We can help with questions but not wave a magic wand that will create a route that you want to exist.

mplimasol

understand. i may be a bit young, but not stupid. this may take a number of years to get sorted out, and i'm fine with that - i'm stuck here for about 6.5 years until i get mt ph.d.

MsElui

I think just to put it in perspective as well....

A lot of people want to come to America. A LARGE proportion of those people have NO route available to them at all. They just cannot come - no matter how much they want to. You only have to look at the posts on here for a week to see a cross section of those.

You chap is lucky as he does have ways - albeit that may cost a lot of money/time or may involve marriage which is not your preference yet.

So you two are in a far better position than most - even if it doesnt feel like it right now. You do have options.

Bill_S

Possibly talking about a J-1.

You and he need to talk to the Office of Foreign Students (or whatever UAkron calls it). They will know what his options are, and what he has to do.

Bluegrass Lass

I think to get the Fellowships for a grad program, the prospective student has to be exceptional gifted, and they will have to interview with professors and basically win it (just like a scholarship). IIRC, an F1 requires him to be accepted at the university before he can apply for the visa. But acceptance at the uni does not guarantee an F1 will be given to him at the consulate.

You have to do what works for you. However, there are some advantages if you pursue the K1. For one, he can work wherever he wants, and for however many hours he wants, without restriction. He would most likely pay tuition based upon being an out-of-state resident, instead of International student because he would be considered living in OH with you. Out-of-state is typically much cheaper than International. Once he gains his Permanent Residence based on marriage to you, he immediately becomes eligible for Federal Financial Aid and all sorts of scholarships, grants etc that are only open to PRs and citizens.

FWIW, I met my hubby when I was 24, and went overseas to study for a semester. We, too, looked into the F1 so that we wouldn't have to jump into marriage to be together. We wanted a 'getting to know each other better' stage. Ultimately, it was going to prove too costly for a F1, and we took the plunge into getting married. Six years later, we have been married for 4 years and he's getting ready to take the oath of citizenship tomorrow.

What worked for us may not work for you, so good luck.

Noorah101

Are you a US citizen?

Rene

fatbrit

She already told us born and bred a while back.

Bluegrass Lass

I think she's trying to say that she won't leave the US until she's completed her PhD. There are other PhD programs outside the US though, if she really wants to be with the boyfriend.