Challenges or Problems Faced by International Students

I am now an incoming second year university student at a university in the state of California in the United States. Even though I have been here in the U.S., for almost two years, I still faced some challenges or problems that are common for international or foreign students like me who study in universities or colleges outside our own countries. When I was a first year university student and only a few weeks here in America, I encountered many challenges and problems that I thought I would not be able to overcome. But I persevered and I am now an incoming second year student.



So I hope that incoming international university students would be able to read this article so they would have an idea of the common challenges or problems faced by foreign students when they are newly arrived. The challenges include:



· Culture shock – International students face common challenges of culture shock because they have to adjust to an environment that is very alien and unfamiliar for them. They have to adjust to American customs, norms, traditions and values that are very different from the things back home. Consequently, they would have some problems in interacting and socializing with native born American students.
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· Language barriers – I am from Singapore and even if the English language subject is a part of our formal education system, my level of proficiency in written and oral English communication skills would still not compare to the English of native born American students. I am not alone because I have read that several academic studies have stated that a significant number of incoming international students have an inadequate level English language proficiency. This would lead to problems in understanding lectures given by lecturers, in taking down notes of the lectures, and in talking with native born American lecturers and students during class discussions.
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· Academic differences – The teaching style of American university lecturers are different compared to the teaching style of the lecturers where the international students came from. In the American style of university teaching, the lecturers expect their students to engage in oral discussions and ask questions from the students during the middle of lectures.