Challenges Faced by International Students

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Studying abroad is a dream of thousands of students across the globe. In this paper, the main focus will be highlighting the challenges that students experience in the course of their studies abroad as well as how they adapt to the environment. Such students in the foreign land pursuing their education at times find a situation which is entirely different from what they had anticipated.
There is a myriad of factors that influence a decision by students to study abroad. According to Vioreanu (2017), several factors portray an image to students about the education system in the USA. Many have believed that the USA is the home of the most highly valued international universities producing talented individuals in many ways. Additionally, students understand that in America, a student can study any course and embark on extensive research that would ensure success to them.
However, students may have their expectations of how they will fit in the USA institution of learning, but the situation may prove to be quite the opposite. There are many requests and applications by international students seeking to study in American universities and colleges which even exceed the required number indicating the increased demand for international education. The enrollment is on the rise from international students and, therefore, it suggests that the competition on the possible chances is stiff. Several factors, however, influence the lives and experience of international students in their quest for education in a foreign land.
International students also bring multiple benefits to the host country in return for quality education, global networking and an opportunity to experience multiculturalism. According to Smith & Khawaja (2011), international students are an essential financial asset to the host countries. Additionally, the students bring with them diversity in heritage and perspectives from their countries thus helping to enhance cultural awareness and appreciation in those countries. Further, Wu, Garza & Guzman (2015) also contend adding that besides bringing financial benefits to the US higher education, international students also bring academic prestige to the American education system because students enrolling in the American colleges and universities are academically bright and well-prepared to pursue their education. While international students primarily seek quality education in the American education system, American colleges and universities equally benefit from their presence in their schools.
The number of international students seeking placement in American universities has been on the rise. Most of these students have unusually high expectations when going for their studies in a foreign land and a challenging reality strikes when they are already in the host country. Some of the critical issues that the students have to deal with while abroad include diverse culture and society, psychological status and their sudden behavioral changes required to adapt to a new environment. Three significant challenges that international students face in their studies abroad include classroom culture, social interaction outside the classroom and academics:
Classroom culture
American Classroom Culture is entirely different from another set up in other societies. The difference can be explained by the cultural diversity found in the US society where international students from their respective cultures would meet other people from around the world with different religious beliefs, different races, and ethnicity (Rosenberg, 2017). In this case, therefore, the basic etiquette dictates that punctuality is critical. Students are also required to invest a lot of time studying to have good grades (Fortier 161). Instructor’s interaction with students is also highly accepted, and so the students are allowed to ask questions as well as expressing their opinions during class sessions. Probably this might be different in other societies.
Social interaction outside the classroom
Interaction of students outside of class is minimal if the student does not seek to know more people and get connections with the local students who would in turn help in identifying other friends. Politeness and patience are highly valued in the American culture, and therefore international students learning these traits would make their interaction with other students’ healthy (Vioreanu, 2017). Outside of the classroom, students also participate in all manner of activities taking a considerable portion of their time in addition to requiring them to interact and socialize a lot with other people outside of the classroom setup (Fortier 161). During the conversations, personal space is a valued aspect and if interfered with it may make the interaction uncomfortable. Additionally, interacting with other people and taking part in out-of-class activities form a crucial part in students’ lives.
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