Adjustment Issues: International Students

Source: The University of Cincinnati

Adjustment to a different culture
For students who cross national and cultural boundaries for the purpose of study, the experience can be exciting and rewarding. However, when facing the culture, values, and traditions of another country, it is normal to experience difficult emotions as well. Emotions such as sadness, loneliness, fear, and confusion can be normal reactions to such a life transition. It can be very challenging for students to adjust to their American surroundings. Here is some information to help you manage this stress.

Learning a Different Culture
Learning a new culture, which may have different beliefs and values can be difficult. During this process, it is important to be in contact with American culture. Yet, it is also important to take your time in this "learning" process. Thus, international students are encouraged to learn the values and traditions of the US slowly, while still remaining connected to their language, traditions, and cultural beliefs.

There is some evidence that participation in more than one culture can actually lead to healthy adjustment. When we learn other ways to think and behave, we can develop adaptive strengths and flexibility. This can occur for both the international student population as well as the students from the US. Since an actual enhancement of coping and adjustment can occur through "culture learning," many can benefit from a "multicultural experience."

What are some possible ways we can handle the adjustment?
· · The adjustment to a different culture is a part of coming to the US to study and "culture learning" may be a part of your everyday experience. However, it is important to manage the difficulties that may arise due to this stress. Here are some recommendations:

Become familiar with your International Student Services Office (ISSO) and what they have to offer for support and information. You can contact them by telephone: (513) 556-4339, or their web site: http://www.grad.uc.edu/isso. Contact ISSO for information on the International Friendship Program, Student Orientation, ISSO LISTSERVE, International Student Organizations, Coffee Hours, and other events that decrease the isolation of living in a new country.
Develop social networks and friendships with other students from your home country or other international students if possible. There is a list of student organizations through the International Student Services Office. These contacts may provide a sense of belonging, which helps with adjustment.
Allow yourself to become more aware of life here in the US. Perhaps participating in the International Friendship Program, where you are matched with a "friend" who lives here in Cincinnati area. This will also further help to create and support a multicultural identity while you study in the US.
Do not isolate yourself. Attend the monthly ISSO Coffee Hours on Friday evening. Share ideas and thoughts with others.
Stay in contact with family and friends from your home. Write letters, send e-mails or make telephone calls when possible.
Seek help and support when needed. Psychological Services Center can assist you in managing small and large problems. Some of the things that international students talk about in counseling are: loneliness and homesickness, academic difficulties, confusion with American culture, anxiety, relationship problems, and depression.

Psychological Services Center (PSC) is available to help…
Sometimes talking to a professional about these struggles can be helpful. There are counseling services available on campus. Interaction with a counselor is completely confidential. In fact, we are mandated by law not to release any information about anyone who uses our services to anyone outside PSC. This means that we cannot and will not discuss anything about you to your department or anyone else at UC.

Read what other international students have to say about counseling services at PSC:

"I believe the counseling is a good experience for me to learn how to develop positive attitudes in a stressful and challenging 'immigration stage', and to be happy. There are some problems that we don't feel comfortable to discuss with families or friends, and even don't want to face them, but they bug us now and then. I enjoyed working on my problems with my counselor, who is very inspiring and thoughtful. Counseling not only helps me to know myself better but also gives me confidence in my life."
"I would recommend the Psychological Services here at UC for anybody who needs it. It is ideally suited for students here. It is close by on campus and also subsidized by university insurance. I also find the staff very willing to help."
"When I first went to counseling, I didn't think my problems were because of being a foreign student. After I talked to my counselor, I gradually realized that some of my problems were caused by being in America and not my own country. For example, it was difficult for me to make friends. Realizing this helped me to stop blaming myself, because it is not my fault. It is due to the cultural difference."
"Before I visited the PSC, I felt lonely and stressful, but I could not find anyone to help me. The visits to the PSC provided me the chance to talk about and solve my problems. (It) released the overwhelming stress in my life."
"A good thing about (my counselor) is that she was a good listener, curious about my culture, and did her best to tackle my personal problems. She is very calm, kind and respectful, and shared my feelings."
"When I realized that my problems were becoming something more than I could possibly deal with by myself, I decided to seek some help from the PSC instead of personal friends. It was very helpful to have someone, who is professionally trained listen to my problems. It would not give you any immediate solution, which would magically make the problems go away. However, during the process of talking to your counselor, who does not have any preconception about you or previous personal relationship with you certainly helps to untangle your confusion and helps you to find out what you really want/need."

Difficulties regarding Culture Change
Many international students struggle with problems upon their entry into the US. Some of the problems identified by the international students at UC are related to language, financial situation, academic stresses, social interactions with Americans, food, and loneliness/homesickness. Other difficulties may be related to:

Classroom style and the quarter system: Classroom style is sometimes a difficult cultural difference for incoming international students. The atmosphere and expectations may be very different from the academic atmosphere of the home institutions. The quarter system may also be different since many other institutions have semester systems. The quicker quarter system, may not allow the student time to get oriented to the expectations of the class.
Separation from Family and Friends: The move to the US often causes a separation from family and friends. The loss of this support system can be difficult, especially if they were a source of support for difficulties at home.
Reentry Shock: Another issue may be not only the "culture shock" of coming to the US, but also "reentry shock" when returning to their home country. Often students do not expect to be faced with changes in themselves, their country, or family.
Social Interactions: Sometimes expectations regarding social relationships and "friendships can vary from culture to culture.
Academic Relationships: International students as well as their American professors are often unaware of the large impact of their cultural differences. These differences may affect the student's academic performance through their psychological health and interpersonal challenges.

Recommended Reading: Title: Culture Shock: Psychological Reactions to Unfamiliar Environments. Author: Furnham, A. (1986). (Available at Langsam Library and Raymond Walters College Library.)

Source:The University of Cincinnati Psychological Services Center, Evening Clinic, and the Division of Student Affairs and Human Resources
© 1997-2001 Psychological Services Center
The University of Cincinnati
Psychological Services Center, Evening Clinic, and the Division of Student Affairs and Human Resources provide this fact sheet as a service. This fact sheet is intended for individual use and cannot be replicated or otherwise published without our permission.

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