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Reham Macadato December 5, 2017

3D – PH Socio – Anthropology

Education Research International


Volume 2015 (2015), Article ID 202753, 9 pages
Research Article: International Student’s Challenge and Adjustment to College
Hsiao-ping Wu,1 Esther Garza,1 and Norma Guzman2

1Texas A&M University-San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78224, USA


2Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363, USA
Received 14 September 2014; Revised 30 December 2014; Accepted 15 January 2015
Academic Editor: David Neumann
Copyright © 2015 Hsiao-ping Wu et al.

Abstract
International students’ enrollment in higher education in the US has expanded considerably in the last
decades. In this study, international students’ experiences were examined in academic and sociocultural
settings. Through qualitative interviews, the findings revealed that international students deal with
academic challenges, social isolation, and cultural adjustment. Specifically, academic challenges included
communication with professors, classmates, and staff. Consequently, they have to deal with social
isolation when engaging in different group activities. Culturally, they need to confront the different ways
of thinking and doing in the US. In order to overcome these challenges, students have adopted
resources that mainly are derived from the university to overcome these challenges. Thus, as
demonstrated in this study, having a better understanding of these students’ academic challenges,
university faculty and staff can recognize students’ needs and effectively offer supportive campus
resources and services. The university needs to be prepared to meet students not only academically but
also socially and culturally. This study also suggests that some preparations need to be made by the
university that will embrace international students upon their arrival.
Reham Macadato December 5, 2017
3D – PH Socio – Anthropology
Unlike past summers before 2015 when my family stayed briefly in Manila for a vacation, this time I will
be staying behind in the city which I barely know in order to pursue my studies. Studying abroad in a
different country can be downright scary. Especially in my case Manila is known to us as a dangerous
place. Being away from my family for the first time, of course I had this mixed feeling of fear and
excitement. . I am excited to think that I will start living on my own, but I also worry if I can cope with my
life being away from my family I will be on my own. I will do household chores and try my best to be
independent. I will also have to learn how to commute, which I think will be very difficult for me. I think
this is the effect of staying more than a decade in a conservative and restrictive country.

I started everything full of unknowns. But regardless of all the unknowns, the experience will
undoubtedly be life changing. In the age of globalization, it is becoming increasingly important for
millennials in the workplace to consider studying abroad and immersing themselves in
alternative cultures. Living in a different country is an opportunity to get outside of my comfort zone—
learn what it means to adapt and live in another culture where norms and values are different from
mine. Living in a first-world country all your life and then transferring to a third-world, I felt strong, from
the start where I did not demand for a housekeeper is a step ahead in proving myself that I can be
independent.

Everyone always ask why did I studied here. I had a choice and I chose to live a new life in which I
thought I could have figured it out easily, but it’s the other way around, I’ve had breakdowns firstly
missing my mom and everything is just a mess. It was hard, my sleeping cycle is different; my appetite is
different; the weather sucks; the people are different; I cannot bear the food and I always end up having
stomach aches and then vomiting. Manila is so noisy, I’m used to waking up in the smell of mom or
dad’s cook and not with the bombarding sounds of karaoke and blowing horns of the vehicles.

School came and I felt indifference on how diverse students were. We have different status, behavior,
and norms. College itself is a huge adjustment. Studying college in a different country is a different story.
I hated it at first, meeting people I’m not used to. But I realized, this is part of growing up. This is the
right setting in starting a new chapter of my life. I was hard socializing, but it was a worthy experience
having to meet people with different background from which before I was just in my social studies book
when I was in elementary. I’m thankful for them also, because of them I learned how to commute, I
learned how to survive Manila. I was a bit jealous and homesick everytime my friend go hoem to their
provinces every weekend and I has to wait till December and June till I go home.
Reham Macadato December 5, 2017
3D – PH Socio – Anthropology

The college adjustment is hard. I feel like we are in a box. There are some rules I find weird. It is hard to
reach the standard of some professor. I already encountered different type from my very first semester.
A terror one. One who never teach. One who keeps talking and no one in the class understands. One
who teaches yet the quiz given is full of injustice. And, one who is worth having as an instructor. I grew
up in a school were different types of learning is maximized. We do not depend solely on the quiz and
exam for the grade. One mistake is not a big deal, but here every point matters. Everything in college is
in fast pace. You’d miss a lot if you detangled your focus in a discussion even for a second. You’ll feel left
behind the lesson if you were absent even one meeting. We need to persevere. I admit, I was a bit
jealous when my friend told me that her university (In Qatar) provided everything, not only the
handouts but also emotional and mental support and the like. I had second thoughts on choosing flying
instead of staying.

My eyes are also opened in the injustices happening in the country. We had our internship application in
Mercury Drug, I was rejected for I am a Muslim, but I am not alone, others are also rejected because
they have their own drugstore. I was hurt and up till know I still bring with me the anxiety in applying for
internships, not only but also in med school, in work and in everything I may encounter.

I came at Philippines with a kind, pleasing personality. But my friend Gaul Yap told me that I should be
strong so that no one will take advantage of me. And she’s right. There are some people mocking me, I
want to let it pass but I’d rather educate them than let them live in ignorance.

But hey, I am studying at University of Sto. Tomas, were people are warm and friendly. I am thankful to
God that he placed me here. It is hard, but it is worth it. My college is a rollercoaster ride, it has its ups
and downs but it is a fun ride. I have friends who back me up. I have comrades who takes me to the
good side of this new world. I couldn’t imagine myself studying anywhere here in the Philippines other
than UST.

Living and studying in a different country is really hard, but it takes a lot of diskarte in order to survive. It
take right state of mind to make you feel home. Every day is a challenge. It is hard because it is different,
but different doesn’t mean it is wrong.

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