Challenges and Cultural Shock among International Students
Introduction
Moving to a new country may turn out to be very difficult for international students. Majority of these students, its always the first time in the latest lifestyle not able to live in the comfort of their homes and family, resulting in a daunting experience in the new country. Having moved from Singapore to the United States for my degree, it was mind-blowing for me living in a new culture and additionally having to live an independent learners life. Most international students are faced with cultural shock. They have to face various artistic ways and thinking of the people in the United States. It is therefore essential to develop a best practice to help the university faculty, staff and students in overcoming these academic challenges. The university must be ready to meet the needs of the students not only in the educational dimension but culturally and socially. The best practice to put into use in the future is coming up with preparations needs by the university to help international students embrace the changes upon them arriving.
Most international students face several challenges as they pursue their degrees oveRTalking on experience, there are a number of obstacles I faced as n international students hence becoming used to the unusual circumstances different from my home country. Some challenges are financial adjustment challenge is the leading problem that faces international students of dollar exchange and the misleading budgets outlined in the universities catalogues. Students have to balance work and studies in the busy schedule, language, culture and individual barriers and different foods in the different lifestyles. International students are also faced with housing adjustment problems. They should have adequate housing and married seeking accommodation outside the school’s environments. The greatest challenge occurs when students face racism and cultural differences. It is, however, difficult for any international student to escape the cultural shock in the course of their studies in the United States (Wang, 2004). The cultural collapse resulted in me being stressed and experienced homesick, resulting in loneliness. Not all learners get the support they require as most people in the US are not empathetic to accommodate international students. Regardless of the counselling offered by the university does not have a significant impact. Hence they have to find alternatives for surviving in unusual circumstances. Change is experienced, which occurs in cultural, social and physical interactions. It, therefore, requires some psychological adjustments to cope up with the new culture and lifestyle for the international students, including sociocultural changes. International students have to be given professional advice to help them cope up with the lifestyle of the US. Studying abroad comes along with several challenges which are evident from a personal point of view requiring a range of adjustments which may affect the study and overall outcome of most international students. Even though universities offer support to the students, it is essential to identify these challenges coming up with the best practice to overcome the problems and be of help to other international students (Yi, Jenny & Kishimoto, 2003).
Overcome these destructive changes; best practices need to be put into practice to help international students. The school resources can be utilized as a strategy. School services are essential for academic adaptation to the students on the campus. A number of these services are getting books from the library, studying in a conserved place and making use of the lab for studies. The writing centre also has to provide revision materials for education. International students need to make appointments with their counsellors on the campus to assist them when pressure from school and mingling with the professors tends to be difficult (Altbach & Knight, 2007). Students need to dominate and get involved in campus activities. International students can join various students’ organizations to get English proficiency. Professors need to know the different needs of learners in their adjustment to America’s accent and learning regardless of them knowing English. It is essential to train professors and encourage them to be approachable to ensure students fully utilize the resources provided by the university. Through socializing in these organizations, students interact with others learning on the diverse cultures interacting with more students from the United States. When international students participate in various campus activities, they enlarge on their social networking. Orientations for international students understand the comprehensive educational system concerning their education background back at home hence get ready in adapting and studying in the United States. For instance, before the start of the semester, I would attend an orientation to get the time and interact with other international students from diverse cultures. We would hand together, resulting in me to speak English frequently.
Language support for international students is essential. Universities need to come up with programs that will reduce the language barrier (Bargar & Mayo-Chamberlain, 1983). As an international student, I underwent prejudice and discrimination in my social life, including academics. Most international students get marginalized in school and social events with their American peers having little knowledge of their backgrounds and adding up on what they think about them. They are, however, willing to talk about their experiences, making Americans know them better gaining more knowledge of the diverse cultures. It is essential for the universities to set days where all students interact and get to learn on the perceptions of diverse students from other parts of the world. The western culture involves a different communication plan which most international students are not familiar. When I came to America, I found people were used to gift-giving relations which is unfamiliar in my home country. According to western culture, an individual can open their gifts once they receive them as a form of appreciation which is offensive to most international students. Language patterns of the western culture are very different from that of the east hence making international students feel awkward during social interactions (Bochner, Hutnik & Furnham, 1985). It is therefore essential for the universities coming up with cultural days where both learners learn from one another appreciating the diverse culture of the world.
Conclusion
International students go through many challenges which range from unsatisfactory housing, cultural shock and inadequate finances. Regardless of the challenges faced by international students, best practices can be put at hand by the university for them to become successful. Universities need to have an English program to help them in their language proficiency. The language barrier has an impact on the learner’s academics, involving in various activities and understanding the culture of the people in the United States. Universities can introduce workshops where international students get trained on the use of English, mostly the slang language, including culture and social life of the US society for effective communication in both formal and informal settings. The United States learners and faculty should put into considerations the need of accepting international students accepting their diversity. Schools can introduce orientations programs for interactions from international students. Through these orientation programs, students get aware of housing challenges, where they can live comfortably and according to their budget. The university should ensure equal reach to learning materials to all learners. Students from various parts of the United States should also have inter-cultural know how mingling with international students such as volunteering to help the staff who assist the international students. Counselling is essential to international students since they need guidance to manage their academics overcoming psychological stress. Universities in the United States need to offer a different orientation on culture and the entire academic religion. Such can be achieved through seminars and conferences by professionals, with the students narrating the experiences they undergo in the United States. It is important to note that organizations which develop friendship ties, relationships with the local people are enhanced.
References
Altbach, P. G., & Knight, J. (2007). The internationalization of higher education: Motivations and realities. Journal of studies in international education, 11(3-4), 290-305.
Bargar, R. R., & Mayo-Chamberlain, J. (1983). Advisor and advisee issues in doctoral education. The Journal of Higher Education, 54(4), 407-432.
Bochner, S., Hutnik, N., & Furnham, A. (1985). The friendship patterns of overseas and host students in an Oxford student residence. The Journal of Social Psychology, 125(6), 689-694.
Wang, Y. (2004). Pursuing cross-cultural graduate education: A multifaceted investigation. International Education, 33(2), 52.
Yi, J. K., Lin, J. C. G., Jenny, K., & Kishimoto, Y. (2003). Utilization of counselling services by international students. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 30(4).
