By Tayhana Taylor, World News Editor
Moving miles away from home to attend a university is a significant milestone, but it may be challenging to adjust to a new culture, new people, and a new environment. Nonetheless, it is possible to cope with being away from home.
“My adjustment to campus was not easy; I struggled a lot with culture shock,” said Joranya Correia, a junior from Cape Verde majoring in criminal justice. “The people, the food, and the habits were all so different—so relying on the support of my family was crucial.”
Acclimating to this new space is about making the best of the resources and the people around you, while still connecting with your friends and family back home.
“I started to live by the motto ‘when in Rome behave like Romans,’ so I knew at some point I would adjust; it was just a matter of time,” said Correia.
One of the perks of attending a culturally diverse university like Saint Leo University is that you never feel completely alone. The international student population makes up 22 percent of the university campus, with students hailing from over 100 countries.
“I learned to talk to people and venture out of my comfort zone because the more people you interact with, the more relationships you will build,” said Nicholae Robinson, a junior from Jamaica majoring in cybersecurity. “Learning about other students’ cultures on campus helps because, eventually, these friends will start feeling like family.”
It’s also important for you to be patient with yourself—it is totally fine if during the first week you are having a hard time “fitting in.”
“Do not feel pressured to fit in. Just ease your way into this new environment because everyone else is also adjusting,” said Robinson. “It’s also okay to feel homesick because that is a normal part of adjusting.”
Luckily, Saint Leo has over 70 clubs and organizations, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is responsible for hosting events that allow students to interact with each other. Attending these events is a great starting point for incoming international students.
“Being new to college in the United States can be an overwhelming change for international students,” said Ashley Tucker, a junior majoring in criminal justice. “So it is important for them to make new friends, attend events on campus, and learn about what this new environment has to offer them.”
Tucker is Vice President of Activities (VPA) for Saint Leo’s Student Government Union (SGU). As VPA, Tucker oversees the CAB.
“Getting involved on campus exposes international students to new cultures and allows them to find their community of people,” said Tucker.
One of the main offices on campus that helps international students with adjusting is the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). The CGE provides international students with resources for handling homesickness, culture shock, and much more. These resources are usually offered during international student orientation at the beginning of the academic year. This special orientation discusses matters relating to academic life, cultural adjustments, and immigration.
Annually, the CGE also hosts events like international education week, international food night (Feast for the World), Food for Thought, and many others.
It’s also key for international students to learn to advocate for themselves and remember to ask questions—there is no such thing as a “dumb question.”
“Always ask questions because the answer may be right around the corner,” said Robinson. “Talk to your success coaches about your class schedule and choosing the right classes because this is really important for incoming freshmen.”
Building a solid relationship with your success coach and academic advisors is crucial to achieving academic success, especially since the U.S. education system may be slightly different from the one in your home country.
Not only does Saint Leo have a diverse group of students, but the faculty and staff are also diverse. You may find a professor that shares your same ethnicity. Regardless, your professors will become a part of your support system, especially in terms of adjusting in the classroom, so make use of office hours and ensure your professors know you—class participation is key.
While making this adjustment, be patient with yourself and avoid comparing yourself to how your fellow international peers are adjusting. The process of getting familiar and feeling like you belong at Saint Leo is unique to each international student. It may take a week or a month, but it is a worthwhile journey.
Always share your culture with others while learning about theirs—hold on to what you know, but never stop being open-minded. Not all change is bad; you will learn to adapt and find pieces of home wherever you are.
