New international students participate in an orientation session organized by the Office of International Education to help them prepare for their time at Ohio State.

If you walk about the Ohio State Columbus campus, one in 10 of the people you encounter is likely to be an international student. According to the Institute of International Education, there were 565,039 international students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions in the 2004-2005 academic year. According to the Office of International Education, China, South Korea, and India have the highest enrollment of international students at Ohio State. Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina have the highest enrollment among Latin American countries.

More students are taking advantage of studying abroad now than ever before. In addition, the characteristics of international students are also changing. Since the year 2000, the number of international students at the graduate level has surpassed that of undergraduates. Though the profile of international students has changed over the years, the issues associated with the experience of living abroad remain almost unaltered.

The act of moving to a culturally different location, coupled with the international student’s own diverse cultural background, contributes to unique challenges once living in the U.S. Living abroad often leads to culture shock, a process in which the international student first experiences a honeymoon period, then shock, followed by the stages of negotiation and acceptance.

During the initial days or weeks upon arrival in the U.S., international students may first enjoy being in their host country. International students generally find much excitement in the plethora of opportunities available in a multicultural society. This is known as the honeymoon stage. Then, after a few weeks or months, a student may begin to feel uncomfortable with the differences in values and customs between their native country and the host country. However, most students learn to integrate some of the host country’s values and customs while still retaining their own cultural identity. They move from negotiation to acceptance — i.e., the ability to function well in a multicultural U.S.

Experts in this area report that international students might face difficulties in social interactions and interpersonal relationships as they transition to a new multicultural society and learn society’s implicit rules. In addition, leaving loved ones behind means that international students must develop a new support system in their host country. This involves building new social support networks, friendships, and establishing relationships with local academic, social, professional or religious organizations. Making these connections increases their chance of successfully adapting to life in the U.S. Mastering the English language becomes a critical part of academic success, and also increases an international student’s ability to form wider social networks.

Adjusting to new living conditions takes months for most international students. A successful transition is likely to occur when international students are proactive in their transition process and the hosting environment is supportive. Several ideas can help an international student successfully transition to their new environment. They must understand that the transition takes effort and time. It helps to stay connected to family and friends back home while making new friends here in the U.S. In addition, actively trying new things (e.g., food, social-related activities) and taking advantage of various opportunities and resources, on and off campus, are all vital endeavors. Hosting institutions can provide international students with necessary resources that are sensitive to cultural differences.

Studying abroad offers excellent opportunities as well as challenges to international students and members of the hosting institutions. Successful transitions will contribute to an enhanced appreciation and respect toward different cultures, and thus a better multicultural living environment that enriches us all — international students and the hosting community alike.