People on F1 OPT/stem OPT, how do you manage travelling/Vacation outside of US given visa & reentry requirements?

If you have a valid visa, what is the big deal? If you don’t have a valid visa, go apply for one.

it is very easy and no issues for f1 opt people. You just need to get that updated i20 from university (hardly a 5 minute work). and your visa on passport should be valid for that duration to come back. nothing else is needed.

What are you talking about- f1opt/opt extension entry has the least friction. Just show ead and i20, there you go

I literally went on 5 trips while being on OPT. That’s more than the number of times I’ve gone out since I’ve been on H1B. As long as you have the most up to date I-20, you are ready to roll

I didn't. There was about a two year timeframe when all my travels were in the US because I didn't want to risk anything. As for any family, paid for them to come visit me instead. The US is big enough for that time frame I know it's easy to do, but it depends on ones risk tolerance specially if you're from certain counties. E.g. if you were from Iran travelling while the travel ban occurred, then you're stuck.