One of the most sought-after dreams for students is studying in Abroad, as it gives them a golden opportunity to study different cultures and provides high-quality education with wide-range of exposure helping them to what they wanted to be in their lives. But entering a new country has its own difficulties. For many international students, hurdles of every size compete for top spot on their list of things that are too high. In this article, we will discuss five common problems encountered by international students and remedies to combat them.’]
1. Culture Shock
What is Culture Shock?
It is the shock your senses (and internal data base) experience when you are suddenly and unexpectedly exposed to a culture entirely different from your teeth brushing habits of how everything could berecated. The customs, traditions or life abroad may be so different that it could cause confusion, frustration and even alienation. This could be over trivial topics like trying a new food, or more serious matters such as adapting to strange social ways and challenging academic demands.
How to Overcome Culture Shock
Before You Leave — Do Your Research: when heading to live in a new country, you should try to get an understanding of where you are going and some basic information about the culture before arriving. It will show you a bit of what to expect and help get the ball rolling.
Viewpoints & Way Of Thinking: Adopt the change instead of opposing it. Get into the mindset that every new experience is an opportunity to expand yourself. Be prepared to conform to local customs and interact with the local population.
Develop a Routine: While you are representing India, living in a foreign country can make the simplest of things seem arduous. Examples of this could include adhering to a study schedule, or continuing to pursue hobbies done at home.
Connect with Home: As much as you need to indulge yourself in the new culture, keeping in touch with friends and family back home can be a way of staying on the right side.
2. Language Barriers
What is the problem with language barrier?
For students who study in a country where the primary language of instruction is not your first language, language barriers can cause extreme stress. This dips not only into the academic challenges but basic things such as grocery shopping, asking for directions, or even making friends. They can breed frustration and loneliness as well.
Bridging the Language Divide
Enroll in Language Courses: Some universities present language courses to global students. These will help you, quite a lot, enhance your skills and confidence.
Regular Practice: Speak with natives, choose a regular language exchange or randomly practice in your class mate conversations. The more you write, the easier it will get.
Language Apps: Technology to the rescue. Daily Bite-sized Lessons: Apps like Duolingo or Babbel are great for beginner lessons.
Give Yourself Time: Languages are difficult, and learning takes time. It is okay if you mess up or have a rough beginning — be patient with yourself. But you will get better, I promise.
3. Homesickness
What is Homesickness?
Gravity of EmotionsLandlords | Image credit : pixabayHomesickness is a typical feeling amongst foreigners living abroad, for so long from home. Feeling lost, alone and completely disconnected from family, friends and familiar territory. It usually occurs at times of celebration, or if there is a bump in the road for students which would have been assuaged by emotional support from their home environment.
How to Overcome Homesickness
Keep in touch with your family: Keeping in contact with people back home has never been so easy thanks to technology. This can bridge the physical distance to family and friends through regular video call or messaging.
Make Yourself at Home: Keep a few items on you that get to show your personality (photos, favorite books or souvineers). Choose items from your old living space that make you happy and try to incorporate them again into your new room.
TECHNIQUE part 1Join in: You can meet new friends through clubs, sport teams or community activities and start to make connections while you are living in your new country. Connecting with others who are interested in the same things you are can reduce your sense of isolation.
Re-center on Your Goals: Remind yourself of why you decided to go abroad in the first place. By thinking of your long-term goals, you will be able to take them as a motivation aside from feeling homesick to do the best you can.
4. Financial Strain
What is Financial Strain?
Studying abroad is costly and finances in a foreign country can be tough to keep for the International students. It is easy to overspend when the cost of tuition, living expenses and unanticipated expenses quickly accumulate. The cost of living could be more than you anticipated, especially in large cities and with countries having strong currencies.
Dealing with Financial Burden
Make a Budget : Building an itemized budget including expenses for your college, rent, food, transport and fun will help you control well your money. Start taking note of your spending: It will be possible to save in a few areas.
Get Scholarships: Numerous universities and associations give scholarships solely to global students. Find and apply for financial aid options that can help to reduce the cost of high tuition fees.
Part-Time Work: In some countries, there are provisions for the students to work part-time while they study. It is a way to make extra cash and obtain some experience working. But pay attention to the visa regulations for working students in your chosen host country!
Get Financial Assistance: In case money issues are worrying you and your family, get acquainted with the counselors of a scholarship program at university. They may be able to provide some money management tips or refer you to resources.
5. Academic Adjustments
What Is Academic Adjustment?
The academic environment in the host country may be very different from what International students are used to. From the way that lectures are delivered, to how much our participation is expected, and down to where we stand in the grading arena… these differences can cause confusion and frustrations while trying to adapt. Alternatively, it may be that the investment made by attending a foreign university is enough for students to feel pressure to do good.
Coping with Academic Changes
Learn the System: Take some time to familiarize yourself with how things are done academically in your host country prior to classes. Learn what will count toward your grade, how you will be expected to participate in class, and the kind of work you are going to have to produce.
Utilize U Writing Services: Most colleges offer academic writing services as well, including writing centers, tutoring and study workshops. Use these resources to help you adjust to the academic expectations of your new environment.
Form relationships with professors — don’t be afraid to seek help. At the end of the day, professors are typically not entirely naive to what international students go through. Building a good relationship with your faculty members will help you in approaching them for any kind of doubt or query.
You can also form study groups your class mates as they could help you in subjects you are performing bad. Collaborating with other students will expose you to unique ways of thinking and learning.
Conclusion
It can be exciting and challenging at the same time to study abroad. There are a lot of challenges that international students meet such as culture shock and language differences, money shortage, homesickness etc. Nevertheless, there is a solution to every problem and if the following strategies are followed as suggested by the majority of research, these challenges can be effectively addressed. In this way, embracing the experience (the good and the bad), finding community, trying to see everything with a positive attitude will help you not only adapt you to your new home but also make other country time worthwhile and changing.
