Graduate with master’s in ‘historic preservation’ mocked after fleeing US and defaulting student loans
A college graduate has drawn sharp criticism after leaving the United States and halting her student loan payments, despite owing just $60 a month on a $65,000 federal loan.
Amanda Lynn Tully, 37, told the New York Times that she has never felt financially secure. She revealed that she moved to the Czech Republic seven years ago, shortly after finishing her studies at the University of Oregon, and has not made any loan payments since.
Tully, who also holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from the Metropolitan State University of Denver, said her master’s degree in historic preservation did not help her find stable employment after graduating in 2017. She had been enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan that could have forgiven her remaining debt after 20 years of qualifying payments.
Even with the minimal $60 monthly payment, Tully described the obligation as “psychologically burdensome,” saying it often felt like her payments weren’t even covering the interest.
While some readers sympathized with her struggles, many expressed outrage over what they saw as an extreme and irresponsible response. Some compared her actions to the trend of middle-class individuals committing minor thefts, suggesting that escaping a small monthly payment by moving overseas was an over-the-top choice.
On social media, critics highlighted the contrast between her financial complaints and her lifestyle. One user noted that Tully appeared with designer headphones in her Times photoshoot, questioning her judgment in prioritizing purchases over a small debt.
The situation underscores a broader issue: nearly 8 million of the 40 million Americans with federal student loans have defaulted. Experts warn that moving abroad and stopping payments can severely damage credit scores, making future borrowing more difficult and costly.
Since 2019, Tully has worked in Prague as an E-learning content developer for multiple companies, though she lists herself as “open to work” on LinkedIn. She did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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