Skip to Main Content
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

International

Lakewood Church, a megachurch in Houston. (Courtesy photo by ToBeDaniel)

Off Topic: Christian nationalism is a looming threat to religious freedom

Pope Francis’ death is a tragic loss for both Christian and progressive communities around the world and could lead to the further rise of Christian nationalism at home and abroad.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor May 6, 2025

On April 21, Pope Francis passed away due to a stroke and subsequent heart failure. The Pope’s death is not just a devastating blow for the Catholic Church, but for communities...

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Guest Essay: At NYU, we cannot afford to be passive in the face of fascism.

President Donald Trump’s blitzkrieg of executive orders threatens international students, trans rights, diversity initiatives and our core values.
NYU College Democrats February 20, 2025

Guest essays reflect opinions from writers beyond WSN. If you’d like to submit a guest essay for consideration, please email [email protected]. We have always known who...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

Opinion: Trump’s new immigration policies put Arab, Muslim and pro-Palestinian students at risk

With a new travel ban on the horizon, international NYU students who are potentially at risk need to be aware of what lies ahead.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor January 30, 2025

In 2017, President Donald Trump enacted a drastic and unprecedented travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries, halting immigration from countries such as Iran and Somalia...

(Kiera Gabel for WSN)

Opinion: NYU should give students the day off for Lunar New Year

Given the large Asian student population at NYU, the university should formally recognize Lunar New Year as an academic holiday.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer January 29, 2025

This past week, my mom asked me to come home on Lunar New Year to celebrate with our family and distant relatives who I haven’t seen for years. It’s one of the most important...

A protester holds up a white sign that reads “DISCLOSE, DIVEST”.

Opinion: NYU must sever ties with Tel Aviv University

From deadly military technology to an “engineering war room,” NYU's partner institution Tel Aviv University is not only complicit in but also contributes to Israel's war crimes.
Mehr Kotval, Opinion Editor December 11, 2024

On July 3, the Israeli military ordered the family of Muhammed Bhar, a 24-year-old man with Down syndrome and autism, to evacuate their home at gunpoint. During this altercation,...

An illustration of Donald Trump pointing his finger at a group of figures wearing graduation caps. Behind them are flags of the world.

Guest Essay: Studying as an international student under a second Trump administration

Kevin Hu is a Senator at-Large representing the constituency of International Students Seeking Employment in the NYU Student Senators Council and Student Government Assembly.
Kevin Hu, Senator at-Large November 11, 2024

10043. For most Americans, that number means nothing. However, ask any Chinese student you encounter on campus, and they’ll tell you how these five digits symbolize the fragility...

An illustration of the Earth with a giant red ballot box that reads “VOTE.” Many paper airplane ballots fly towards it.

Opinion: Voting abroad can seem daunting — but it’s essential

NYU provides varying levels of guidance for voting abroad to its study-away students. Young voters need to be made aware of these initiatives.
Amanda Chen, Contributing Writer September 27, 2024

The 2024 presidential election could profoundly reshape the U.S. and global political landscape, and for American students studying abroad, their vote holds just as much weight...

An illustration of three people standing in a doorway next to a red sign that reads “Access Denied.” Below the sign, a hand holds a passport that reads “República del Peru.”

Opinion: The precarious path to employment for international students

Job prospects are too narrow for international students, especially those who are pursuing careers within the United States.
Valentina Plevisani, Staff Writer December 9, 2022

As an international student, coming to study in the United States involves navigating a never-ending obstacle course. You must apply for and attain a student visa. You are restricted...

A large crowd of protestors at Washington Square Park holding up signs and Iranian flags. Some of the signs read “WOMAN LIFE FREEDOM,” “FREE IRAN,” and “IRAN 2022 REVOLUTION NO ISLAMIC! TO REPUBLIC!”

Opinion: Islam didn’t start the Iranian protests

While there has been widespread support for Iranian women’s rights, the media has misinterpreted the true intentions of these protests.
Afnan Abbassi, Contributing Writer November 21, 2022

Following the murder of Mahsa Amini, protests rapidly spread across the globe from Washington Square Park to London. The attention that Iranian women have received in the media...

An illustration of Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi mounting a climbing wall. She has her black hair tied into a ponytail. She wears a white, red and green colored shirt — the colors of the Iranian flag. The back of her shirt reads “IRAN 009” and her left hand holds onto a blue boulder.

Guest Essay: The Islamic Republic’s mandatory rule limits its female athletes

Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi competed without a hijab, violating the Islamic Republic’s mandatory rule. What does that mean for other Iranian athletes?
Nicky Kashani, Guest Contributor November 2, 2022

On Oct. 16, Iranian rock climber Elnaz Rekabi disobeyed the Islamic Republic’s restrictions on female athletes and competed in an international tournament in Seoul without wearing...

An illustration of the silhouettes of two people facing one another, against a blue background. A text bubble is drawn, showing the person of the left saying “Can I call you “blank” for short?” to the person on the right.

Opinion: Stop trying so hard to pronounce our names right

We’re just as embarrassed as you are when you pronounce our names wrong.
Aksha Mittapalli, Contributing Writer October 5, 2022

It’s move-in day. You and your entire family, grandparents and all, spill into your smaller-than-expected dorm room. You'll hang the clothes that you'll probably never wear,...

A crowd of protesters standing under Washington Square Arch holding the Iranian flag and signs with a person holding a wood stick with a strand of black hair hanging by the end of it.

Opinion: NYU should speak up about the violence in Iran

As an institution that prides itself in global diversity, NYU should be actively supporting Iranian women and students.
Molly Koch, Contributing Writer October 3, 2022

NYU prides itself on its diversity. The class of 2026 represents 107 countries — five more than the previous year. When a major crisis happens in one of those countries, then,...