International Student’s Real Life

A note from an International Student. 

 Traveling is always a good option to relax or de-stress, but when it comes to studying, the decision is difficult. Very little is said about the separation from family that international students who study at our university experience. It is not only a family separation, but also a new beginning, a new culture, a new country, new people, and a completely different language. 

   Imagine that you must leave your home, your comfort, your food, and everything you are used to, because your future is better here, and this university is great. It is not easy at all, it is complicated, scary, and a nightmare for many. The decision has already been made, you are here at the university, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, old buildings, and a very welcoming climate... but what are you missing?

   What is missing is your home, your room, your friends, your family, food and the most difficult thing is the language. You are surprised to find that your new roommate only speaks English, he does not speak Japanese, Spanish, or Portuguese, but at the same time, you are also doing everything possible to speak English well.

   The first week, you sit with the other internationals, and you realize that many of them already know American culture, but you also meet people who don't even talk to you or look you in the eye. The advisors and teachers are also from other countries, which makes you feel more comfortable with yourself, you're not completely alone, but something is still missing.

   You discover that there are few people from your country, but from different cities, so you don't have much to talk about, you don't have much in common yet. They show you around the university, you meet the faculty of your major, the professors, and for the first time you sit in one of the classrooms of a university in the United States, something you never thought would happen and that you only saw in movies.

   The moment of truth has arrived, the teachers are going to speak in English to explain to you what the class is going to be about. You feel nervous because you are not sure if all the English you learned at school is going to be of any use to you at this moment. The first teacher starts talking and you don't understand a thing, you feel nervous because the last thing you want is for someone to ask you something, and unfortunately for you, the teacher looks at you and asks you a question.

   You don't understand anything so you ask if he can repeat the question more slowly. You listen to him again, understand his meaning, and answer in monosyllables. This was the most difficult test. You've already spoken, you've understood, and you're on the right track.

   Suddenly, your teachers tell you to talk to your classmates. Never in your life in any class you've ever had had they told you to do this. What kind of American madness is this? You turn around and a girl starts talking, smiling at you. She seems like a nice person, and you understand her a little, but at times she says words you've never heard, not even in films. Why is she talking so fast? What is she saying?

   You don't understand much of what she says, but by the way she expresses herself and opens her eyes you sense that she is very happy to meet you, you look around and see that everyone is talking to each other, they all smile and look at you with a tender face, it seems that they realize that you needed that smile. Suddenly, you feel a little calm, you didn't expect them to be so gentle with you, it feels strange, but it feels good.

   Everyone is curious about your name and your country; they start asking you questions as politely and respectfully as possible; they make you feel special. You start talking a little bit, and with the words you know, you tell the meaning of your name, your favorite food, and the reason why you chose this university.

   They all have something in common, they all chose this University for similar reasons, and they are in love with their majors, you no longer feel so different, and they are no longer strangers. You have overcome this first obstacle, now, here comes the most difficult one, talking to your roommate and hoping that their habits are like yours, how scary, they are completely different.  

   You and your roommate haven't talked much yet, it's awkward at first, you've never slept next to someone. He makes the first move, he asks your name and where you're from and you ask him the same, you talk a little about your interests, but it's still awkward until he makes a joke about a character in a Marvel movie, you look at him surprised and tell him that he's your favorite character. The next thing is history, you've broken the ice and now you have something in common and decide to watch a movie. You don't feel so lonely anymore, do you?

   The first few weeks are a bit difficult, on the one hand, you already have your first friend, who is your roommate, but on the other hand, you miss your family, your friends, and your food. At times you feel very sad but there are always things to do that distract you. Classes are about to start so you spend hours in the library reviewing your new courses and preparing yourself better with English, because until now it has been a bit easy, but you know that soon it will be more complicated.

   The first day of classes has arrived, you don't know what to wear, you want to make a good impression, but you feel tired, you still haven't gotten used to the time difference, but you're doing what you can. You feel a little discouraged because you feel like everyone is going to make fun of your English and how stupid you are, so you call your mother to tell her about your loneliness and fear.

   Your mom answers the call and suddenly a smile forms on your face. She tells you how proud she is of you, that everything you have achieved was only thanks to yourself, that no one else helped you, and that you are capable of anything. She tells you that she misses you, that your grandparents don't count the days until they can see you someday. Your grandmother gets on the call and yells at you to eat, and without realizing it, a tear comes out of your eyes.

  You don't even know how you got here, but you feel good, your whole family trusts you and is proud of you. It's time to go to class, it's time to overcome those fears that torment you, because just like you, there are other international students who will be in your class anyway, and you are unique, you have new things, you are interesting, use that strength to show that the difficulty can be overcome.

   When you get to class you feel nervous, you feel like everyone is looking at you. Suddenly you sit down and your classmate next to you starts talking to you, he tells you that he is also international, by a coincidence of life, you both are from the same country and the same city, but their story is different, no story is the same, but you know that now you have someone else, so you start participating in class to give security to your new friend.

   Nobody makes fun of you, everyone speaks well to you, they are patient and always have something to say. The language is still complicated, but you do what you can, and you notice the results. Midterms have already started, and you can't believe you've come so far, but look, you did it, you don't feel so far away anymore.