Being an international student can be somewhat stressful from time to time. The following are some hurdles these students deal with.
Financial Rumbles
One of the most stressful situations that international students deal with is financial issues. Getting work as an international student can be difficult because you need specific permissions to work in a particular country.
Sometimes, these students don’t even know where to start, which is the reason family members and friends usually end up sending them money through a money transfer company. A student who receives assistance from back home has less to worry about and more time to settle into this new environment.
Language Barriers
Language is a big problem for international students. Some of these individuals are smart enough to learn the language before coming, but even after learning the language things can still be difficult. Regular folks sometimes use words that international students weren’t taught.
Some students may learn the language but not know it perfectly. This could make it hard for them to communicate and do other things like network. Students who don’t have a full grasp of the language will have trouble getting a job, which only contributes to the financial trouble mentioned earlier.
Cultural Boundaries
Another problem international students face deals with culture. Each student brings their culture to the country they are studying in, but it doesn’t always blend well. Each country has its own culture, and there are specific cultural differences from region to region.
It might not seem like much to others, but the differences between cultures can be shocking and sometimes confusing. One culture can think its rude to hold a conversation with a stranger while another might find it rude not to have a conversation with a stranger.
Immediate Loneliness
International students are hit hard with loneliness. These folks are leaving behind friends and family members. The international student has no one there to support them.
If the student doesn’t know the language well enough, he or she might have trouble making friends with others. These truths could make staying in a new country troubling. You might not think too much of this, but think about what friends and family members offer you. People are naturally social, so this could be difficult.
Transportation
An international student knows his or her homeland. This person knows how to get around or what they’ll need to get from point A to point B. All of this knowledge flies out the window the moment they step foot in a new country.
The streets, transportation systems, and even the way people drive can be different. All of this could make it hard for this person to get around. Things get even worse if this person hasn’t mastered the language well enough to get around. It’s like trying to live in a place as a tourist for extended periods of time.
These are just some challenges students from other countries face when they study abroad. This is an enriching experience, but it comes with its own set of issues.