Life as an International Student: the Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad

Every year, towards the end of august, all around the world airports are crowded with candid-faced students both eager to pursue an education overseas and reluctant to leave their homes.

So I hear you are going to become an international student? That's exciting! Let me give you a detailed guide on what these two words, seemingly daunting in its nature, would entail. As an international student myself, this being my second year abroad, I will introduce you to the very advantages and disadvantages to being a part of this community.

Pro: Broaden Your Horizon

Are you exhausted from the environment you have been stuck in probably since birth? How about taking an 8-month walk on a land 7000 miles away?

As a student myself originally from China and now attending school in the United States, the amount of new experiences you can gain is wild. I was extremely fascinated by the whole cultural immersion, where you are really just exposed to a huge diversity of cultures, traditions and lifestyles from the people around you. It really is a “jump outside of the box” moment where you get to build connections, learn from the globalized community and listen to the unique perspectives of your peers and educators: when your South Korean friend starts to explain ongoing political tensions in their country, or when your classmate from Pakistan converses with you about the presidential election.

You get to step out of the stereotypical, local media you were once immersed in and engage with these global issues yourself through the forms of discussions and day to day conversations. In ways you would actively start to learn more about the world in ways you would not have if you weren't here.

Sometimes the experience you gain may not be as globalized: it's still perfectly mind-blowing! It's about driving to New York City and actually seeing the Statue of Liberty yourself, or stepping into a local supermarket and ending up talking with a lady passionate about cats as you are---these very small moments and things that make you happy and content.

Pro: Cultivate Independence

Face it: you're gonna have to gain independence sooner or later in life. Why don't you just start cultivating it now by living abroad alone?

Now these vary from person to person. I have friends around me who's parents literally bought houses here just to accompany them--- lucky for them. But most of the time that won't happen.

Most of the time you'll end up by yourself with three heavy luggages of clothes and mattress, standing miserably amidst the crowds of the Boston Logan Airport, and a few hours later amidst the chaos of an unpolished, vacant dorm. A few months later you'll find yourself, as I did, struggling with the always fully-taken laundry room (and dormmates who never leave the washing machine hygienic) or even just the balance between school, extracurriculars and socializing because no one is here now to plan and advise for you: you're on your own, kid.

Terrible as it may seem, there are reasons why I put it as a Pro. First, you start to realize how spoiled you were before and greatly improve on your life skills. Skills you may have found trivial or unimportant because your parents always did it for you before. Things you once took for granted gradually will become skills you acquire yourself, like making the bed, taking out the trash and washing dishes.

Additionally, you should also realize the huge amount of freedom the word “independence" entails. It is not having to go home straight after school but actually going out for ice cream, or intentionally choosing to masticate on a bowl of chips for dinner instead of the highly-nutritious but boring meal your parents would have forced you to eat. The infinite power and control you would have over your own life is insane, which may bring drawbacks to some extent but who cares: at least you're free!

Con: Homesick

Big one here. This is not even about going to a boarding school and not being able to see your parents due to the school's limitations. It is the pure geographical distance and physical inability to see your family and friends. If an 18 hour flight didn't make the distance obvious, just pull up google maps: you can not go back.

At times I miss my hometown more than ever. It is in these silent nights where loneliness creeps up your skin, suffocating the lungs with hollowed spikes later morphing into salty drops down your cheeks and onto the bed sheets. Everyone goes through the phase, it's perfectly normal.

I would think of my house, my cat, my bedroom and the comfort these things may bring when you're overwhelmed. Deep down, it's more than just the yearning for home-cooked meals and the laughter with the family, but the longing for a sense of belonging. When you're feeling like an outsider and out of place, that is when the craving for home lingers the longest and stings the strongest. It's about physical comfort, unable to be replaced by technology. Sometimes texting, phone calls and facetime just don't feel the same. Homesickness can especially be challenging over some of the holidays, like Thanksgiving or Spring break where it's too short for you to go home and too long for you to dismiss your loneliness with school.

Homesickness is inevitable, and it's a presence too strong for a school counsellor or friend to relieve. Sometimes crying, or just periodic melancholic-ponderings (for me, staring at a blank wall for too long) is normal. Let it out, sooner than you think, you'll find your feet stemmed in the firm, solid grounds of your hometown.

Con: Pressure To Adapt

English is not my native tongue, and I didn't grow up watching Disney channels or listening to Taylor Swift.

Being an international student often means having to quickly adapt to a completely new environment, which usually comes with pressure and stress of not speaking idiomatic expressions, or coming up with the funniest jokes or delivering speeches with a perfect, American English. You, oblivious to local cultural customs and social norms, might misunderstand cues, respond to greetings in an awkwardly wrong way, or simply mess up your tongue in the most low-stake conversations you hold with classmates.

There is a constant need for you to fit in, overcompensate and prove yourself socially so you can text your mom “I'm happy here, I have a lot of friends here” when deep inside you may feel the complete opposite. The process of finding your balance between embracing new culture and holding on to your own identity may be exhausting at times.

Becoming an international student is a transformative journey filled with highs and lows. It’s not always easy, but the experiences, skills, and memories you gain are invaluable. You’ll step out of your comfort zone, face challenges and emerge with a broader worldview and a deeper understanding of yourself.

So, as you pack your bags and prepare for this new adventure, remember that every moment is a step toward becoming the best version of yourself. Embrace it all, and enjoy the ride!