What
to Expect and how to Cope with your New Life.
Dear Friends,
Each year PLU welcomes around
150 international students from all over the world. This Spring Semester, we
have been fortunate to welcome students from Norway, Denmark, India, and China.
Welcome New International Lutes, Welcome!
As we all know, the semester goes
by extremely fast, and just after two weeks of classes, you might feel a little?
It’s totally fine!
This article is here for you!
From a personal experience, I
intend to share with you, both new and prospective international students, a
small insight about what to expect during your first weeks of school and how to
adapt to your new life.
For many of you, leaving home
for the United States, mainly for the purpose of studying, is an exciting
experience: you will have the opportunity to meet and connect with people from
different backgrounds, improve your language skills, and expand your career
opportunities. However, small challenges might come along the way, impacting
your personal growth. These challenges could be experienced from the core of
your classrooms to your campus life. However, you may need to get used to
different ways of doing things and find ways to adapt to this new situation.
during
their first days of classes:
1- Instructional Differences or Classroom
challenges:
It is
totally fine that you find it different or more challenging than your home
country. Here, classes are very interactive, indeed rigorous, and with so much
to learn at the same time, and most of the time you are expected to be an
independent learner. However, keep in mind that there are lots of resources that
are here for you to help you succeed. I must say that most, if not all, professors
are quite accessible and approachable, and the tutoring centers are also very
helpful to facilitate your learning process.
2- Language barrier: For some of you, English is not your
first language. Yes, it could be challenging at first. Learning a new language always
takes time, but hone your language skills by associating yourself with friends
that can help you learn the language much quicker, once you are more immersed
in the culture, this problem will go away.
3- Culture shock: At
this stage, you might feel a little homesick: missing Food from back home,
customs, traditions, climatic conditions, or even social atmospheres due to the
differences. However, with time, this will also go away.
I honestly believe that all these
challenges are part of the learning process and would help you understand how
you, as an individual, would fit into this world.
As you go through these phases,
here are (3) three ways to handle the challenges and enjoy your educational
experience.
Be determined
and focused in your goals!
Be sociable and outgoing!
But most important of all: Be Patient!
“Life
is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”. -Helen
Keller
"The journey of a thousand
miles begins with a single step." -Lau
Tzu
Let’s have a wonderful Semester
Guys.
Welcome and enjoy your stay
here!
Your Friend,
Pape Mathioro Samba
If your an international student studying away at PLU you might be asking yourself if you can still study away through a PLU course. The answer is OF COURSE! Many international students study away during their time at here and go places they might not have been able to go previously.
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