In recent years, international students who leave their home country for other countries for educational or academic purposes have become increasingly popular. The category of students ranges from primary, secondary, and post-secondary. Many students carry on the purpose of acquiring a better education in schools abroad. For instance, the number of International students in higher education institutions in the US were from more than 210 places of origin outside the US during the 2022/23 academic year. In Canada, in the 2022/23 academic year, there were 807,260 International Students at the year’s end.
Migrating to a new country as an International Student can be exciting, as it opens the students up to new opportunities. However, this form of migration for better academic or educational pursuits is not without its hurdles. These hurdles can throw an international student off balance, which can sometimes affect their academic performance. Understanding these challenges is important not only for students themselves but also for institutions and support systems. In this article, we will explore some of the common challenges international students face abroad.
Here are 9 Common Challenges International Students Face Abroad
1. Cultural Differences
2. Nostalgia (Feeling Home Sick)
3. Getting Suitable Accommodation
4. Language Barrier
5. Social Connections
6. Financial Challenge
7. Academic Pressure
8. Climate Change
9. Access to Healthcare Services
1. Cultural Differences
After the excitement of being in a new environment, the reality of being in a new culture sets in. The difference is that you moved from a culture you are conversant with to an entirely different one, which means that you have to learn the ways of the new culture you have been introduced to. These cultural differences are revealed in the kind of foods and dress sense, amongst others, that the international students are used to as opposed to the ones they are exposed to in their new location.
2. Nostalgia (Feeling Home Sick)
Upon arrival to your new country as an international student, after the excitement calms down, you will feel that you need to pack up and go back home since you have yet to familiarise yourself with your new environment. You will begin to long for family again, which your new environment may not immediately provide.
3. Getting Suitable Accommodation
As an international student, accommodation is one of the challenges you might face. Getting decent accommodation might be more expensive than what you are used to. For instance, the average rent prices in the United States of America are 53% more expensive than in Nigeria. Even when you find good accommodation, the high cost of maintaining it might leave you wondering how long you can put up with the expenses.
4. Language Barrier
This is one major challenge if you find yourself in a country where you don’t understand their language. Many international students come from countries where English is a second language. However, even for international students who use English as a first language, it can still be very challenging to understand and effectively communicate with native speakers of the English language.
5. Social Connections
Moving into a new country can be isolating when you do not have a social roadmap. This can make you feel alienated from your environment. This challenge of social connections can manifest in making friends, relating with coursemates, and getting acquainted with your new environment because some people don’t find it easy warming up to others.
6. Financial Challenge
Living away from your home country or in a place, you hardly know can be challenging for your finances, particularly in a location where the currency is different from the one you are familiar with. Moreover, when the currency of your new location is higher than that of your home country, the student might run into financial challenges.
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7. Academic Pressure
The difference in the educational system of your home country and that of your host country can put you under pressure as an international student. It might take a while for you to familiarise yourself with it. As a student, when you are familiar with a particular learning curriculum, getting introduced to an entirely different one can take a while to adapt to.
8. Climate Change
This can be very difficult to adapt to as an international student, especially when you move from a country with a different climatic condition to another with an entirely different one. This change can totally affect your ability to warm up to your new environment.
9. Accessing Healthcare Services
Accessing healthcare services as an international student can be quite expensive and pose a challenge for an international student. Most international students live on budgets that might not cover healthcare.
Steps to take to overcome challenges as an International Student:
- Find a support system: You can’t live alone, more so in a new environment, so you need people in your circle.
- Never get tired of asking the right questions.
- Always ask for help when you need it: This can save you time and other valuable resources.
- A major way to overcome financial challenges as an international student is to budget. Prioritising your expenditure can help you.
Steps to take if you are considering becoming an International Student:
If you are thinking about studying abroad, but you are not sure how to go about it, we got your back. Here are the right steps to take if you intend to become an International Student:
Research: Carry out research to know the educational system of the country you intend to study in. Find out what it takes to study your preferred course in that country, the schools that offer it, and the requirements, both academic and non-academic requirements.
Make a budget and plan on how your fees, accommodation and your upkeep will be catered for all through the duration of your stay as an International Student.
Conclusion
As challenging as being an international student can be, there are things you can do to make the time you spend abroad memorable and worth your while. As outlined in the article, it is helpful to surround yourself with a support system, ask for help, and never get tired of asking the right questions, because you will surely find answers that will help you navigate situations. Remember to always maintain a positive attitude.
