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So basically I'm applying abroad this year and here's the situation:
1. Iran's economy is plummeting due to US sanctions and internal corruption.
>> 1 USD used to equal 36,000 Iranian Rial in January 2018. Today, that same dollar equals 160,000 Rial.
2. I have to apply to at least 20 universities in order to have a slight chance of admission.
3. Each university requires (on average) $100 as application fees, and around $50 for TOEFL and GRE reports.
4. The TOEFL and GRE themselves cost $225 and $205 respectively. Some middleman websites exist that pay these fees in dollars, but you have to pay them an additional %7 commission.
5. The only way of acquiring USD is by buying it illegally from currency exchanges, at a much higher price.
6. Nearly no way of sending money or receiving some from someone outside Iran.
7. FATF law has not passed yet in Iran. In case it fails to be ratified, even Russia and China won't be able to trade with Iran.
8. On top of all that, in nearly 40 days, another set of US sanctions will be forced and they target Iran's oil. Iran's economy relies heavily on oil.
So, this is what's happening here. Amidst all this, a lot of students and I are trying to apply abroad and have serious problems financially. The budget I had set aside for my applications is now worth one forth of what it used to be 4 months ago.
Any ideas that might help? You advice is really appreciated. Thank you so much.
