Studying in the USA is a dream come true for many aspiring students worldwide. Students from all walks of life around the world come to the USA to pursue their higher education. Although there is a robust support system and an inviting community, students sometimes find themselves in tough situations. The US is a welcoming, inclusive country but even then, some students might feel homesick. The harsh reality of managing money by yourself and making your own decisions also takes a toll on young students.
Most students do not anticipate the cultural shift that they will have to go through upon landing. What is described on the internet and on university websites will seldom reflect what the actuality is. Having an excellent team of immigration consultant will help prepare a potential international student to face the reality of moving to a new country and taking care of oneself alone.
Here are some of the challenges that international students in the USA face:
Cultural Shift
Most international students come from countries known for their diverse, deep cultural roots and norms. Upon arrival in the US, most students are left confused and overwhelmed. This can lead to a general sense of feeling out of place since you do not understand the culture. The US lifestyle is completely different when it comes to how they dress, the food they eat, and the festivals they celebrate. Moreover, their day-to-day habits are also different and certain gestures we take for granted in our country might be completely foreign to them. For example, even the handshake in the US is slightly different from the rest of the world. There are also subtle body language cues that the US residents pick up on so you must take care not to accidentally offend them.
Language Barrier
Anyone who has been to a foreign country knows the perils of trying to understand someone speaking a different language. Although International students do know English, sometimes native speakers pronounce words differently. Moreover, they also tend to speak quickly and employ slang, which can further confuse international students. As of today, however, students are required to complete some form of English proficiency test prior to commencing their studies in the US. This ensures that the language barrier is not an issue even before the student has entered the campus.
Accommodation Problems
While most international students opt to stay on campus, some students prefer to live off campus to save money or have more choices when it comes to travel. However, finding a suitable place near the university is usually a challenge. Moreover, finding the perfect roommate(s) is also a task of considerable difficulty. There may be financial problems from time to time and solving them is not easy for an international student. Fortunately, the educational institution has ample support and is always willing to help a student get out of a messy situation.
Social Abuse
While uncommon in most US campuses today, social abuse remains a problem that international students have been facing. You must be prepared for the worst and there are people who do tend to pick on minorities and abuse international students. This is mainly due to the visible difference in race and culture since most of them hold a USA Study Visa and are only in the country for a brief duration. Mental preparation is key to staying strong and avoiding panicking during a bad situation. This is a relatively uncommon issue faced by international students and it must not be taken too seriously. More likely than not, the abusers are only joking and want to test your resolve, they are not planning to do any actual harm. Sometimes they just do not have the maturity to know better.
Conclusion
While there are many ways students can get disheartened when a problem arises abroad, the best way to handle these problems is to keep a calm mind and sort it out step by step. Your institution is always there for you and your academic advisors can help you in more ways than you can imagine. Moreover, with advanced communication methods available today, you can communicate with your family back home instantaneously. There has not been a better time to pursue education abroad.
