Columbia EALAC Collective

Columbia EALAC Collective Fundraiser

The current climate at Columbia University has created significant challenges for its international graduate students, including those in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALAC) – our home department. EALAC students come from all over the world to study the history, literature, religions, and cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Tibet at Columbia. Recently, federal funding cuts, visa risks, and rapidly shifting immigration policies have left many of our colleagues feeling uncertain about their ability to continue their studies and research without disruption. Moreover, despite the introduction of several emergency funding initiatives in recent days, support for international students facing legal or financial hardship remains limited. As US citizens and PhD students in EALAC, we feel compelled to take action to support our colleagues during this challenging time.

Many international graduate students are concerned about traveling abroad for essential archival research or visiting their home countries due to the possibility of visa complications or reentry issues. Legal fees, emergency travel costs, and other unforeseen expenses can place a severe financial burden on students who already have limited access to institutional aid.

That’s why we are launching the Columbia EALAC Collective Fundraiser, a resource designed to provide rapid, discretionary financial support to international graduate students in the department who are facing unexpected crises. This fund will help students cover expenses such as immigration lawyer fees and visa-related costs, as well as emergency travel expenses, technological needs, medical bills, housing costs, and daily hygiene and sustenance needs. In short, this fund will offer quick relief when few other options are available.

By contributing to this fund, you are helping to create a safety net that allows EALAC’s international graduate students to pursue their academic work without fear of financial hardship or administrative obstacles. Your support ensures that they can continue their research and studies with greater security and stability.

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Learn more about our initiative: https://linktr.ee/Columbia_EALAC_Collective