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Academic Difficulties
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Information about Academic Difficulties
There are over 500,000 international students who come to the United States to attend college, and this number increases yearly. These students have unique challenges that are traditionally overlooked, including academic difficulties, as well as cultural and social difficulties. This puts these students at a higher risk for various psychological problems than the average student. With this in mind, students who have academic difficulties often have a higher drop-out rate.
Language Differences
Language differences are one of the first challenges that international students face. Because there are certain language limits, it may be difficult for the student to understand exactly what the professor says or expects from their students. Lecture time is nearly always a challenge because missing one aspect of a lecture can lead the student to misunderstand the entire subject. A reading assignment that would take 2 hours for American students may take 4-6 hours for international students. Professors may be challenged to understand the student as well.
Cultural Differences
International students often have academic problems due to cultural differences. Education differs from country to country and what is important in the U.S. may not be nearly as important in other countries. In the U.S., the focus is on class participation, something that may be the biggest challenge for an international student. The way students study differs from country to country and many other countries receive more guidance from their teachers. International students might have to find ways to find information and support from other sources.
International Students May Be Academic Leaders in Their Home Country
Another of the academic difficulties international students face is adjusting from being a star student in their country to being challenged in the U.S. It’s not uncommon for an international student to become depressed when they are not able to achieve the grades they were in their country of origin. Students whose self esteem is mainly based on their academic achievements could find this to be their biggest challenge. These challenges include test anxiety, time management issues and difficulty with concentration.
Adjusting Social Skills
International students may find their academic difficulties increasing due to work to adjust their social skills. As with the average student, adjusting to college life can take time. Leaving home, family and friends, living on their own for the first time, learning independence and taking care of themselves are challenges to every teenager; international students are much more challenged to adjust than the average U.S. student and these struggles only increase academic difficulties.
Immigration Requirements
Possibly leading to additional academic difficulties are immigration requirements. To maintain legal status in the United States, students must maintain a full-time course of study each semester, as well as make continuous academic progress. Under some circumstances, such as medical or mental health issues, an international student may be able to request to study part-time for a limited amount of time. This request must be approved in advance from the International Center.
Universities are required to create programs to assist foreign students to adjust to college life, living in the United States, and learning how to find support. With help, these students can overcome any academic difficulties that may occur and as a result, make the best out of the opportunity they have been given.
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