Brazilian runner who has jogged on nearly every street in Chicago faces departure as student visa expires

Joabe Barbosa, a 25-year-old doctoral student at Roosevelt University, may have to return to Brazil after going unmatched for a required internship.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:03pm

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Joabe Barbosa, a 25-year-old Brazilian doctoral student at Roosevelt University in Chicago, has gained attention for running through almost every street in the city while wearing the Chicago flag as a cape. However, Barbosa, who is in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, may have to return to Brazil after going unmatched for a required internship in his final year of the program.

Why it matters

Barbosa's story highlights the challenges international students face in completing their degrees in the U.S., as they often have limited options for internships and face strict visa requirements. His dedication to exploring Chicago through running has also endeared him to the local community, making his potential departure even more bittersweet.

The details

Barbosa moved to Chicago in 2022 to pursue a doctorate degree in clinical psychology at Roosevelt University. After a hiking accident in 2024, he started running as a way to recover and made it his goal to run through every street in Chicago. He has completed over 85% of the city's map, according to the tracking app City Strides. However, Barbosa went unmatched for an internship in his final year, putting him at risk of having to leave the country and return to Brazil within 60 days of the school year ending.

  • Barbosa moved to Chicago in 2022 to enroll at Roosevelt University.
  • In August 2024, Barbosa suffered a mountain hiking accident that inspired him to start running.
  • Barbosa is on track to complete running through every street in Chicago in the next few weeks.
  • Barbosa's final run is planned for June 14, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The players

Joabe Barbosa

A 25-year-old Brazilian doctoral student at Roosevelt University in Chicago who has gained attention for running through almost every street in the city while wearing the Chicago flag as a cape.

Courtney Kibble

The director of the Psychology Program at Roosevelt University, who said Barbosa is a 'phenomenal student' but that the internship match process is 'incredibly intense' with a shortage of available positions.

Roosevelt University

The university where Barbosa is pursuing a doctorate degree in clinical psychology.

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What they’re saying

“It's been frustrating. We spend so much money to study and it's frustrating knowing there aren't a lot of options for international students to stay and finish their degrees.”

— Joabe Barbosa

“[Joabe] is a phenomenal student in our Doctor of Psychology program. For him, it became a numbers game in which the discrepancy of [internship] availability and complication of being an international student impacted him in a negative way. This is in no way a reflection on his preparation or readiness to complete an internship and obtain his doctorate.”

— Courtney Kibble, Director of the Psychology Program at Roosevelt University

“People here have treated me like a true Chicagoan. I don't have a Chicago accent and I haven't lived here for more than five years, but people in Chicago have treated me like I've been here my whole life.”

— Joabe Barbosa

What’s next

Barbosa has 60 days after the school year ends to leave the country and return to Brazil. He plans to reapply for an internship next year in hopes of being able to come back to the U.S. and complete his doctorate degree.

The takeaway

Barbosa's story highlights the challenges international students face in completing their degrees in the U.S. due to limited internship opportunities and strict visa requirements. Despite his dedication to exploring Chicago and becoming a part of the community, he may be forced to leave the city he has grown to love.