Studying abroad is not an unfamiliar concept to many. Students from all over the world move to new places, hoping to experience new things and expand their relationships, which in turn opens up job opportunities.
Today, studying abroad has become the dream of many young people, an opportunity to study in a modern environment and access global knowledge. For this reason, the United States, a land brimming with opportunities for development and cultural diversity from all corners of the globe, has become an ideal destination for international students. However, behind the glamour and splendor lie significant pressures and challenges that international students face, which not everyone can see or feel.
According to FDW.us, there are currently over one million international students living and studying at colleges and universities across the United States. At Keene State College alone, there are many students from over 20 different countries. This is a considerable number, showing that studying abroad is becoming more popular.
To study abroad, students in other countries must strive for high achievements and scores. The competition and pressure of obtaining a visa are also major issues. Additionally, the high costs associated with other services, such as application fees and airfare, are also substantial. They arrive in a new land, carrying their dreams and aspirations, but the accompanying difficulties are a heavy burden that they must constantly strive to manage, hoping for support to ease the load.
The first challenge is likely the language barrier. Even if they have been exposed to or learned a second language from an early age, the language barrier remains an invisible wall, separating and hindering students’ development. Students not only struggle with communication, but also have to work twice as hard as native speakers because they always have to study in a language that is not their mother tongue.
At the university level, specialized terms appear more and more frequently, making it difficult for many students to get used to them right away and forcing them to struggle for quite a long time. This leads to self-doubt, feelings of inferiority and difficulties in making friends and studying. This can also be the beginning of a gradual sense of helplessness over time, which can lead to depression.
Mental pressure is another challenge; according to statistics from eurekalert.org, “The results reveal sharp increases in mental distress: the prevalence of anxiety rose from 20% to 36%, depression from 20% to 35%, and suicidal ideation from 5% to 10%. By contrast, the proportion of students receiving counseling increased only modestly—from 5% to 8%.”
Another challenge is academic pressure. With a new learning environment and the expectations of family and society, studying abroad is assumed to mean success and good grades. International students must work twice as hard to keep up with their native peers and adapt to new learning methods. This pressure weighs heavily on students, creating a mindset that they cannot make mistakes, must always achieve the highest grades and cannot allow themselves to fail.
Culture shock and homesickness for family and friends is also hard for students to manage. The cultural differences, lifestyles and habits that international students must learn to adapt to are also significant challenges. Sometimes these differences are unique and fascinating, but other times they cause anxiety, stress and a loss of motivation when common ground cannot be found. They must get used to many new relationships and worry whether the good relationships they had built with loved ones back home will fade.
In addition, international students also face physical pressure, as living conditions and physical health are also concerns. When moving to a distant country, differences in weather, accommodation and food also affect the physical health of international students. With initial changes like jet lag or unfamiliar water sources, they must endure fatigue from long flights while adapting to these changes as quickly as possible to keep up with life in an unfamiliar place. The climate and weather, different from where they grew up, can also greatly affect their health. Familiar foods and dishes are no longer available, making them feel lost and homesick. This creates prolonged stress and fatigue.
With the high cost of studying abroad, many international students have to work while studying to cover their living expenses. Many young people have been unable to balance their studies and work, leading to discouragement, dropping out of school and working to make ends meet instead of continuing their education. This also leads to many bigger issues related to politics. Their future plans are easily swayed.
While the new environment and exposure to new things may seem positive, they can also cause international students to feel uncertain and anxious about their future. They fear that when they return home, what they have learned abroad will not be applicable to their work, and they will fall behind their peers. Whether to return home or stay and work where they studied is also a big question that all international students ponder. The question of “is it worth it?” always lingers in their minds.
Despite the difficulties, it is precisely these challenges that help international students mature, become more independent and gain confidence. Learning how to manage time, take care of themselves and better understand the value of family and homeland are valuable lessons. More importantly, studying abroad can broaden one’s horizons, build resilience, help people meet good friends and provide invaluable experiences that not everyone gets to have. As not everyone has the opportunity to experience these things, it is still a journey worth cherishing for international students despite the pressure.
The U.S. is a highly developed country, a superpower, a place where international students place their trust, dreams, aspirations and future. To support them, local students should create a friendly, welcoming environment for newcomers. Cultural exchange between countries through international students is the perfect way to do so. There are important holidays not only in their country but also holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. On those occasions, international students will still stay at school alone while everyone returns home to celebrate. What we can do is invite them to our homes to celebrate together, share and let them experience what it is like to have a holiday season in America. Supporting each other in studies will strengthen bonds, allowing both sides to grow together and create a high-quality education system. Not only do international students get to experience new things, but local students also have the opportunity to embrace the unique cultures these newcomers bring, those who carry a “mission of peace” as they join and contribute to our shared way of life.
Su Tran can be contacted at
stran@kscequinox.com
