PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has drawn controversy since he first began his Presidential campaign. Trinity College Foundation Studies Celine Wijaya, Thuy Tran, Pingkan Tri Anisa and Geovanni Tanzil speak with other international students about their concerns and thoughts over the next President of the United States.
Image via Wikimedia Commons.
On November 8, the United States of America voted and, after witnessing an intense campaign period between both Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, it was the business entrepreneur who emerged victorious and will be sworn in as the 45th President of the USA.
The result was shocking to many despite the fact that Clinton won the popular vote. As a result, we have already seen many demonstrations and protests in America with people voicing their opinions and reactions towards Trump loudly on the streets.
Among these voices are those of international students. While not the target of Trump’s campaign, his words have not been easy to ignore. Speaking with different international students from around the world, we gathered their thoughts on Trump becoming President.
On Mexican immigrants
One of Trump’s major talking points during campaign season were his controversial statements regarding the deportation of illegal Mexicans.
One international student from Edmonds Community College in the United States, who didn’t want to be named, says that the United States became “a big country because of its immigrants”.
“Immigrants have played an important role [in building] communities, so we can’t imagine if we have [lost] them,” he says.
Other students, like Duy Nguyen from Trinity College Foundation Studies, however agree with Trump’s proposition.
“He might be right to want to build a physical wall because some Mexicans immigrate to America illegally, which causes the level of crime to increase,” he said.
On job opportunities
Another of Trump’s campaign promises that would help “make America great again” was his intentions to create more jobs and bring industry back to America by returning manufacturing companies to the country.
Alvin Darmawijaya, a student from the University of Melbourne, feels that “it is definitely a bad idea to take back all jobs from China to America, especially manual labour jobs”.
“Instead, he should let China do simple manufacturing because the labour is cheaper,” Alvin said.
The University of Melbourne student also added that Trump should also “invest in the creative industry or technology aspect if he wanted to increase job opportunities”.
Nam Dang, an international student at Springwood High School in America, feels that by creating more jobs for Americans, the United States will prosper.
“The economy of the US is not growing as much as it was in the past so when Trump becomes the President, he’s a billionaire so he knows how to make money and make the US become richer,” he said.
On sexism
Finally, concerns over Trump’s views on women have also been a blemishing target on Trump’s campaign, especially after a video recorded in 2005 emerged with explicit remarks made against women.
Mandy Tan from Trinity College Foundation Studies strongly feels that a nation led by someone with little respect for women creates a “huge gender inequality” issue.
“For America itself, if you have a President who practices gender inequality, then what sort of citizens will America have?”, Mandy fears.
So with all that said, what are your thoughts on President-Elect Donald Trump? Do you feel he will live up to his campaign promises? Will he “make America great again”? And how do you feel his policies might affect you as an international student? Whatever your opinions are of Trump, leave them in the comments below.
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This story was produced by Media and Communication students at Trinity College Foundation Studies as part of Meld’s community newsroom collaboration. Education institutions, student clubs/societies and community groups interested in being involved can get in touch with us via meld@meldmagazine.com.au.