The Struggles of an International Student - The Brand, Issue 13
Being an international student is an exciting experience. Attending college away from home in another country provides the liberty to explore a different part of the world and engage in novel experiences with new people. For some, it is a rite of passage, as you learn to live independently in a new environment. Nevertheless, it is a challenging experience. Many international students who attend HSU are exchanging the familiar for the foreign. It isn’t easy, as some of life’s trying times are brought about by unfamiliarity in a new territory, financial concerns and cultural differences.
Stepping into another country for the first time is daunting. While many are initially awed by a new environment, wonder soon becomes engulfed by unfamiliarity. For those like me who have lived all their life in the convenience and liveliness of the big city, moving to a place like Abilene is a massive transition. While the city is not void of interesting places and activities, getting around is an issue for many international students. It is difficult to travel in Abilene without a car as public transportation is limited. Getting a car is also a hassle on its own, as that means getting a driving permit, setting up insurance and even learning to drive on a different side of the road. All this is inconvenient for a non-Texan, let alone a non-American. Traveling by foot seems feasible, but given the infrastructure of the city, it is better to carpool, even if it means waiting on others and managing time better.
Some concerns international students face are financial. While universities like HSU are generous with their financial aid, many students who study abroad still need to be wise in monitoring their money. This is especially true for students whose home currency value is inferior to that of the United State dollar. In Malaysia, the exchange rate between the United States and Malaysia has been increasing steadily due to the recent economic decline. If the economic situation does not improve, the rate could amount to a ratio of 4 ringgit to one U.S. dollar. For every dollar I spend in America, I could be paying four times the amount in my home currency, which is costly for Malaysian students around the U.S. Although many international students studying abroad have the sufficient funds to do so, students are aware of the ever changing circumstances that could dictate the course of their education.
Furthermore, cultural differences can be a source of anxiety for HSU international students. For students from countries where English is not a first language or is a completely foreign language, communication can be a serious challenge. Not all words in one’s mother tongue can be adequately translated into English and it could take years before a person achieves fluency. But knowing the English language is not enough. I had to replace the British English terms I had learned in Malaysia to the American ones, like asking where the trash can was and not the rubbish bin. I picked up on a different measurement system, learning to read the temperature in degree Fahrenheit instead of Celcius. There are also social norms to adjust to as well. After a while, I realized that I didn’t have to take my shoes off before entering a house, and that it was socially acceptable to voice my opinion even if it was a bold one.
In spite of everything, international students at HSU, Texas and in other states know all too well that the price paid in pursuit of the American dream, or any dream for that matter pales in comparison to the wealth of experience attained. As time progresses, the weight of adjusting to a new place, currency and culture will decrease and a sense of familiarity ensues. At the end of this journey, some of us will return to the comfort of our homes, and some of us will call this place home. Regardless of what will be, being an international student is an experience that will remain with us for good.