Homesickness
It is a fact that international college students encounter not only problems that are common to all college students, but specifically unique issues due to cultural adjustments experienced in the United States. This often puts the international student in a very vulnerable position and HIS wants to help you. According to the research both depression and anxiety were widely reported concerns for both undergraduate and graduate international students (Yi et al., 2003).
WHAT CAN HELP WITH HOMESICKNESS ACCORDING TO RESEARCH?
· Groups: Let us know if you want to be put in a group to share and discuss the issues you are facing.
·Social Networks and Activities: Let us help you find new social networks and activities separate from your culture of origin
·Someone to help explain USA culture: This is a diverse world and the USA has its own set of cultural norms. At times these may clash with what you are used to and you just need a person to ask. (For Example: In many countries people are accustom to negotiating over the price in a store, but in the USA you will find that in most stores the prices are not negotiable.)
·Accept that things will be different, but different does not mean bad or good? Part of maturing is to learn to be flexible and learn new things.
·Know you are not alone: Those working in International Student Ministry like HIS understand that you are having a hard time and we are here to help. Talk to a Staff Member.
·Keep in Touch: Sometimes it helps just to have contact with your home country and your family. Remember your family is not in the USA and may have erroneous ideas that make it harder for you. For example, some view the USA as a very violent country where student go around shooting the people on campus. An example of this was a campus shooting by an Asian student had many Asian parents believing there would be retaliation and telling their students to come home because they thought that they were in danger, but this was not true.
·Get Involved: You will find that your homesickness will lessen as you make friends and get involved with others. There are many activities for International Students ask an HIS staff member to help you find out where you fit.
·Talk about your feelings: HIS staff and volunteers care about what you are going through. If you need a listening ear just come to one of us or share your struggles with a friend. Many internationals struggle with similar issues. We truly want to be your home away from home. We will be happy to make an appointment or to receive a phone call from you.
·Some students improve using the arts: One international student wrote a poem about their homesickness, another painted a painting, and another decorated their room with things from their country.
·Exercise: Exercise is an excellent way to decrease stress even from homesickness.
·Crying: At times homesickness may overwhelm you and you feel like crying. In the USA we find that crying at times is a good outlet for our emotions. If crying is constant and for too long you may be depressed and this may take a little different kind of help.
The HIS Staff want to support you and help you work through your homesickness talk to one of us and if you do not get the help you need let our nurse Pat Cannon know.
Reference:
Yi, J. K., Lin, J.G., & Kishimoto, Y. (2003). Utilization of counseling services by international students. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 30(4),333-343.
