As a foreign student in America, there are a lot of culture shocks I encountered when I first arrived. This list does not just apply to my situation; all my friends have said almost the same things, funny enough. Follow me as I take you on 10 struggles of an International Student in an American College.
1. Your name being mispronounced severely
"Hey! My name is Chi-ke."
"Chicken?"
"No Chi-Ke"
"Oh, I get it now, Chi-Kaay."
"Yeah, that will do."
2. Going to the cafeteria and looking at the food like:
3.Converting dollars to your currency and you're either happy or sad
When you have those "this is so cheap/expensive" moments with your friends.
4. When people older than you say that you can call them by their first name
Me: Good morning, Dr. ...
Teacher: Just call me by my first name
Me: ...
5.People having no idea where you are from exactly
Stranger: Hey, where you from?
Me: I'm from Nigeria.
Stranger: Oh, is that close Brazil?
6. Getting excited when you meet someone from the same country as you
7. Finding the right time to Skype or message your friends and family back home
Time difference can suck at times.
8. Change in climate
December in my hometown.
December here.
9. When people from other states complain about being homesick and you just stand there thinking:
10. Trying to keep up with friends back home
For the first two months, everyone wants to know what you are up to every time. But with time, everyone moves on and you are just wondering if the friendship is still there.
These are some struggles out of many that shows that you are an International student in an American college. There are struggles and challenges, but overall it makes us broaden our scope and makes us better people.