International students want to feel like they belong in our communities. They want to feel like a fluid part of the American lifestyle, and not just another international student living among international peers. But as you may not have realized, this can be really difficult to do. Aside from the anticipated homesickness that most foreign students deal with throughout their stay here, there are many other very real challenges and obstacles to "getting with the program"*.
The dreaded language barrier is one of the major issues. Students that are outgoing and unafraid of making linguistic mistakes and having strong accents, usually fare better than shy students. But, what happens when the majority of students, (more than 3/4 of the international student population!) are from Asia, and Asian cultures typically produce students who have a tendency to be reserved? The battle can be uphill.
Here are some help tips to help you "Get with the program":
1. Get involved as soon as you arrive. If you learn about the programs that your International Student Services office has available to you right off the bat*, you will be more likely to actively participate early on. If you let too much time pass, you might fall into a routine of comfort, and pass up some great opportunities to build connections with other students and organizations. Most international student offices offer programs to help international students become involved on campus, whether through sports teams, academic, or social organizations. Take advantage!
2. Sit next to domestic students in the classroom. This might be a "no brainer" for some international students, but many shy students will choose the more comfortable and sit next to someone in the same boat*. Be brave! It's easier to strike up a conversation with a student in your class than a total stranger on campus. This is a great and natural resource.
3. Be friendly. Americans tend to smile and talk to strangers, (not all Americans, though, some of us are "New Yorkers"). If you smile while you are talking to a student, you will be perceived as friendly. Just keep an open mind, and watch what other people do. I'm not saying that you should lose the sense of who you are, just suggesting being open to many new opportunities.
4. Take the flyers. When people on campus hand you a flyer for an on-campus event or organization, try and put in the effort to say "yes" and do things that are a little outside of your comfort zone. You can meet some great people who feel passionate about a cause, and this could spark some friendships and interests for you.
5. Be a "yes" person. Try and push yourself to say "yes" when people invite you to try new things. Of course, keep in mind that safety and self-respect should be your top priorities. If it feels wrong, don't do it, but if it feels like a challenge, go for it!
6. Talk to your advisers - Your academic and international student advisers are paid to help you. Utilize them as valuable resources. Tell them if you need help finding opportunities to build connections within your communities. If you are struggling, you don't have to be alone. They will most likely be more than happy to help you out.
7. Remove yourself from the comfort of home. This one is really hard, but it will benefit you if you do not plant yourself in the middle of a like-cultured community. If you are from China, don't just roll with* other international Chinese students. However, you could benefit from researching the Chinese Student Association. Many of the members will be Chinese-American, and could help you find in-roads into both communities. It's a good start, anyway!
8. Find a host family. Whenever the options are available to you, it's a great idea to find an American host family to live with, at least part time. Some programs offer part-time host family options, which could really help you balance your academic and social life. It is a great idea to be connected to a family who cares about you, and who could be there to help you through troubling times. You might also be able to experience some American holidays in the most authentic sense--with an American family.
9. Volunteer. This is important for all students. Volunteer work is not only important to help sustain our communities, but it is absolutely a requirement in today's job market. With competition extremely fierce within the international communities, it's important to demonstrate experience working with American organizations, and a drive to selflessly help others. You can probably find volunteer opportunities by visiting your career center, by talking to your adviser, or even just by doing some of your own research. The possibilities are endless!
10. Find a language partner. In universities or even private high schools, domestic students struggle to study foreign languages. If you approach the professors who teach your native tongue and tell them that you'd be interested in language exchange, you might meet some great language partners. This is a fantastic way to build some lasting connections, and help share your own culture.
Overall, it's no small task to move to a new country and adopt new customs and culture. The transition is usually not that smooth, and can be filled with feelings of homesickness and confusion. If you take some steps to finding inroads into your new community, however, the chances that you will be thriving soon are great!
To find out more about our Weekend and Holiday host family program, please contact us today! homestay@everydayinteraction.com or call: +1- 678-208-9588
Idioms Used:"get with the program" - understand what is going on around you and how to become a part of it
"right off the bat" - in the very beginning
"in the same boat" - the same or similar situation
"roll with" - hang out with
