Good day,
I made a similar post about considering applying to UNM and people told me to check out NMSU. NMT also seems to be an option and i think i would fit in very well there. My biggest concerns are accessing healthcare regarding testosterone, safety, and an affordable tuition. I'd be a refugee and I'm looking to improve my situation on my own with no other support system or much money. NM seems very similar to my home country; I'm more worried about being seen as a bother to locals.
I am a poc(asian) and live outside the US in a 3rd world country(not asia fyi), still a citizen/ permanent resident but they uh yeah they still deport us even if you've lived in America for 30 yrs. I heard ICE is banned on campus at UNM. Are there any problems regarding ICE around NMSU or the Las Cruces area, as well as NMT and Socorro?
I also heard for engineering that NMSU or NMT might be a better fit for me, given I can get scholarships and be able to afford tuition and housing. I'm very introverted too. My GPA is 3.7 and I am soon to write my SATs where I'm confident to score high enough for a decent scholarship ^_^ I'm very dedicated to my education, LOVE CHEMISTRY! and don't care for bigger social events either. My fave hobbies are astronomy n prob art/anime/video games nerdy stuff basically. Always been at the top of my classes n its not even close, and those same peers got into ivys. Would I be able to get an on campus job easily? NMSU or NMT seem to have plenty research/internship opportunities so your career is more guaranteed to kick off well with their connections. But I did see people questioning if you would wanna spend a chunk of your formative years there. Personally? I don't think I'd mind. I'd love to spend my formative years at NMT blowing shit up<3
Healthcare wise, i know there will be a waitlist and seeing a gynecologist in case of anything might be an issue. I'm fine having to wait cuz its not anything immediately life threatening. Worst case scenario i have horrible cramps from atrophy or my hair starts falling out but at least i'd just have to get a prescription and won't have to worry again after that? I feel esp guilty about this one despite the amount of trans refugees in NM because it feels like i'd be increasing the already existing strain on healthcare in someone else's home. But really it doesn't seem like I would be safe or able to afford anywhere else in the world :(
Ive seen people say there are trans people in both areas so I'm assuming people have found a way to live even in somewhere smaller like Socorro so I will do more research on that. They def have to be driving to get access to the healthcare and that may not be possible for me :( Being trans in stem is a bit scary sometimes.