Challenges as an International Student in the US.
Being an international student can be difficult. Adapting to a different culture and a new country are some of the biggest challenges students face. This unique experience involves meeting new people, learning a new language, get used to a different way of life, and most importantly get used to being on your own.
Making new friends
It can be challenging for international students to make new friends during the first weeks of school. English is the main reason for some students; having a conversation using your second language can be challenging, mainly when your fellow students use words you’ve never heard before. Slang can be tricky to understand during the first days of school. The fear of not communicating precisely what you are trying to say or being judged by other people for your accent or language barriers are some of the fears and challenges international students face.
Seeing people of your age having different values, talking about stuff you never heard before, hearing other music, and American students sharing their childhood memories can make you feel that you come from an alien planet. Remembering your friends from your home country in contrast to the new people you are meeting in college is a significant change and can be very hard to get used to a new friend group.
Social gatherings can be very different from where you come from, getting used to other music, finding ways to break the ice, introducing yourself in various ways, and getting used to the environment. What comes with it: alcohol, drugs, drunk people, could take time to get used to it. Personal values change; international students come with values from their home country and face a different value system when they arrive in the U.S. These changes impact how they relate with others and take time to adapt to different values. Meeting new people is one of the most challenging things international students face when they arrive at college.
Being on your own
International students come to the US with nothing; of course, many of them count on the financial support of their parents, but they don’t bring anything with them, which is like a new beginning. They don’t have a house, a car, family, friends, anything. They share the same dorms with all the other students, and that’s it. For some international students facing this new reality can be overwhelming; nobody knows who they are, no one cares if they have money, where they are from, or if they were popular in their high schools, etc. International students need to realize that their values and talents are the only tools to face the new challenges and have a successful college experience. If you are good at playing a particular sport or being creative, take advantage of that to make new relationships.
Loneliness
International students have to deal with loneliness during the first weeks of school and the four years of college. Getting used to being in the dorm by yourself sometimes, studying, working, getting lunch, a lot of the day’s activities require you to be alone. Regardless of whether the student has many friends or not, college life in the US requires being alone for various activities. In American colleges, everyone is following a routine.
Independence
Coming from a different country and have complete freedom in your life can be hard to handle. The only way to learn how to deal with this freedom is to make decisions regardless of whether these are good or bad; For example, going to that party, studying days before an exam, joining a club, going out, staying home, etc. Only with experience you will gradually learn how to deal with this freedom.
Academics
Entering a new educational system has its pros and cons. Depending on where you come from, you can find it easier to adapt or more challenging. The college system in the US gives you more freedom with your time; it allows you to do extracurricular activities, join different clubs and organizations. Unlike other educational systems in the U.S, academics and extracurricular activities are equally important; joining organizations opens new opportunities and helps you build your resume.
You have a lot of free time during the day; it is vital to take advantage of that time. The majority of the classes are hybrid right now, half in person, half online. You will also have to submit the majority of the assignments through the online platform of your university. This format means a lot of the classes are self-taught; it is all up to you. This system might be better for some students who like to have even more freedom with their time but could affect more students familiar with a traditional education system. Some classes can be more challenging; of course, these depend on your skills and preferences, but usually, the professor will consider that English is not your first language. They will grade you differently or at least consider that. Make sure they know you are an international student.
Looking for jobs
International Students are limited to work only on Campus while taking undergraduate courses. Even though your options are limited, not too many students like to work on campus. These jobs usually offer minimum wage, except for some research assistant positions. Also, if you start working as a freshman, you can get promoted by the time you become a sophomore or a junior. These jobs are usually straightforward and are flexible with your class schedule. These jobs are suitable to build a resume and gain some practical experience. International students are allowed to work on internships; the internship needs to be related to the student's field. Applying to internships can be challenging for international students; some companies don’t offer sponsorship, and internships can be very competitive, sometimes even more than a full-time job.
These are a few essential aspects of the life of an international student; of course, this varies from the country you come from and the school you go to. I wanted to write a summary about some of the significant challenges we as international students face. I will go more in-depth on each of these topics in the future. I want to share some of my personal experiences and improve my English writing skills.
