Challenges Faced by International Students

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Studying abroad is a dream of thousands of students across the globe. In this paper, the main focus will be highlighting the challenges that students experience in the course of their studies abroad as well as how they adapt to the environment. Such students in the foreign land pursuing their education at times find a situation which is entirely different from what they had anticipated.
There is a myriad of factors that influence a decision by students to study abroad. According to Vioreanu (2017), several factors portray an image to students about the education system in the USA. Many have believed that the USA is the home of the most highly valued international universities producing talented individuals in many ways. Additionally, students understand that in America, a student can study any course and embark on extensive research that would ensure success to them.
However, students may have their expectations of how they will fit in the USA institution of learning, but the situation may prove to be quite the opposite. There are many requests and applications by international students seeking to study in American universities and colleges which even exceed the required number indicating the increased demand for international education. The enrollment is on the rise from international students and, therefore, it suggests that the competition on the possible chances is stiff. Several factors, however, influence the lives and experience of international students in their quest for education in a foreign land.
International students also bring multiple benefits to the host country in return for quality education, global networking and an opportunity to experience multiculturalism. According to Smith & Khawaja (2011), international students are an essential financial asset to the host countries. Additionally, the students bring with them diversity in heritage and perspectives from their countries thus helping to enhance cultural awareness and appreciation in those countries. Further, Wu, Garza & Guzman (2015) also contend adding that besides bringing financial benefits to the US higher education, international students also bring academic prestige to the American education system because students enrolling in the American colleges and universities are academically bright and well-prepared to pursue their education. While international students primarily seek quality education in the American education system, American colleges and universities equally benefit from their presence in their schools.
The number of international students seeking placement in American universities has been on the rise. Most of these students have unusually high expectations when going for their studies in a foreign land and a challenging reality strikes when they are already in the host country. Some of the critical issues that the students have to deal with while abroad include diverse culture and society, psychological status and their sudden behavioral changes required to adapt to a new environment. Three significant challenges that international students face in their studies abroad include classroom culture, social interaction outside the classroom and academics:
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