as an international student...I am so tired

It is easy to get me upset lately. Now that I am applying for an internship at a community supported agriculture organic farm, the experience of getting work eligibility is horrible. The government makes it extremely difficult for international students. For this internship, I have to schedule an appointment with a officer whom will give me many papers to fill out, then I also have to meet with program director and ask him to fill out a form stating that this experience is beneficial to Economic policy. Hence, I have to ask the farm manager for an offer letter that has a description specifically stating at least a duty that can relate to "learning the operation of not-for-profit organization and policy implication for community supported agriculture." But come on, common sense tells us that those are related. Agriculture economics, not-for-profit organization, small scale economy, distribution, capital and labor...some of which are the fundamentals of economic analysis. How could it be not related?! Yet, although to ask for an offer letter which is semi-official is a reasonable request, there is no doubt that an employer could find that too much of a hassle and hire someone else. It is the same as sponsoring working visa.

This whole making it difficult for international people aren't just about protecting the natives, it is also a way to let the internationals compete among themselves. As a result, only those in the very very top get to stay and provide the human capital for economic growth. I was at a documentary yesterday - Faces of Africa. They found that some 30% of the African-American/Black people in Ivory or top universities are immigrants. (I might recall the figure incorrectly, but it's more or less.)

Everything is about competition. Stage 1, we compete with our own for higher education at home. Stage 2, we compete with the internationals to get admission. Stage 3, we compete with the natives and the internationals for jobs. Stage 4, we compete with the internationals for working visa and residency.

I am so tired.