First-hand Accounts
The US is often a country that many students choose to study in, for a variety of reasons. If you are considering studying in the United States yourself, or if you have already been accepted to a program (congrats!), there are many ways you can prepare yourself, but the best is to ask someone who’s gone before you!.
In order to find out some of the reasons why so many international students choose to study in the US, I decided to dive in and get a first-hand look. I talked to students from Malaysia, Norway, and Bangladesh to get their perspective on navigating the challenges of the American education system, the opportunities available to them, and the overall quality of their international experience so far.
Why America?
Syafawani is twenty years old and an undergraduate at the University of Michigan. Originally from Malaysia, she chose to pursue a degree in the United States because she thought that she would be able to explore subjects outside of her intended major. She stated that, “After all, I doubt I’ll ever get the chance to take classes on film photography or mythical creatures in Islam once I start a career.” She also explained that it was important for her to immerse herself in a new culture because she had spent most of her life living in Asia.
Maiwenn was seventeen years old when she began studying at American high school in Michigan two years ago. She is originally from Norway, and she describes how she chose to study in America due to the influence that the country has on the rest of the world. In Norway, they learn about the “glorified experiences” of stereotypical American high school students (like football games, school dances, sports, and clubs) via TV shows and movies, and she stated that she “saw it as valuable to have [her] own experience [and] to be able to create [her] own opinions.”
Farzad, a University of Michigan undergraduate from Bangladesh, said he chose to study in the United States for similar reasons. In addition to the abundance of opportunities for learning outside of the classroom, there are also hundreds of clubs to join at the university, and he enjoys the quality of the education he is receiving.
Surprise, Surprise.
As international students who hadn’t had the opportunity to experience American culture before, they were bound to develop their own opinions based on stereotypes as well as the influence of news and media. Each student described what the most surprising event or aspect of daily life that they have experienced whilst studying abroad so far.
Maiwenn, who was intrigued by the stereotypes of American culture, said that the most surprising thing she experienced in America was how immersed she became within the community. “The difference from arriving in a country and not knowing a single person,” she says, “and then leaving with a whole new network of people that you care about and have shared amazing experiences with is something that still astonishes me.” She also said that she was impressed with the opportunities that were available to her that didn’t necessarily have to do with her academics, but were meant to develop her own interests and personal skills. This increased her motivation to go to school because she always had something new to look forward to.
Farzad has travelled before in many different countries and he says that although there was a perception in Bangladesh that the United States is not welcoming to foreigners, and despite the bureaucracy that the international students have to go through, the university does their best to guide them through it. He also says that despite this perception, “People [strangers] are really friendly compared to other places [he has] been.”
Syafawani, however, embraced some of the stereotypes that America portrays to the rest of the world. “I think the football games were quite surprising. People back home were into sports as well, but not exactly to the extent of what it’s like here,” she described, referring to the games played within Michigan Stadium, aka “The Big House”, the largest football stadium in the United States as well as the second largest stadium in the world. It’s no doubt that in such an environment it is very easy to get swept up in the excitement of it all. “It’s quite interesting to see how passionate people are about sports played at college level and how integrated it seems to be within the culture.” No matter where a student studies in the US, it is very likely they will have the chance to experience this large part of American culture.
Difficulties
When I asked the students about the most difficult thing they’ve faced while studying in America, I expected a variety of answers. The struggles Farzad, Syafawani, and Maiwenn have experienced vary greatly; however, they have learned to overcome them in their own unique ways while finding they have learned to enjoy their experience in spite of them.
Fazad describes one of his greatest difficulties—not academically, but just through the experience of living in America—was adapting to a foreign culture. However, when I asked about how difficult he found the academics in America, he stated that, “[he] find[s] the US education system to be much easier than what [he was] used to” although he does admit that he is only in his freshman year of college.
Similarly, Syafawani describes one of her greatest challenges was getting used to a new variety of “mainstream” culture than she is used to in Malaysia. Some examples she listed include how to tip waiters, where people do their grocery shopping, or what the go-to fast food place was in the area. “They’re all little details people tend to miss when they give you advice on living abroad and they’re things you’re usually left to figure out yourself,” Syafawani says. Some of these things can be found online once a student knows where they will be studying, like tipping etiquette and grocery stores in the area; however, things like trends and popular hangout spots can only be learned after starting their studies with experience and time.
Maiwenn describes that one of her biggest challenges was academic: “[A]ssignments had to be written differently or the teachers expected something else than the ones at home.” In addition, she states that she believes that most international students will struggle with the language at some point during their experience, to different degrees and in different ways; but in terms of studying in America, figuring out the educational system and teaching techniques was definitely the most difficult.
Advice
For students considering studying abroad in America, it is important to weigh your options and make sure that it is the best decision for you academically, physically, and mentally. Having experienced life within the US, Maiwenn, Syafawani, and Farzad each give their best advice on studying and living in America.
If you’re already living in America, or making that decision soon, Maiwenn says, “…my best advice is to always be a yes-person, and not be scared of taking initiative yourself.” Go to all the local events, new places, and meet as many new people as possible, whenever possible. “I never regretted saying yes to anything.” Now that she is living back in Norway Maiwenn says she wishes that she would have taken more advantage of the opportunities she had while in America. “In my experience most Americans were very open and willing to share their culture, so there are always friends to be made.”
Syafawani agrees and says that it is important to be open-minded and not afraid to try new things. “Everything might be different than what you’re used to,” she says, “but you’re in a different place now so of course things aren’t the same.” There is a whole new world to experience outside of your county, but “don’t let yourself forget your own culture either and instead carry it with you proudly.” There is a mutual desire for you to want to learn about the American culture, but also what Americans want to learn about yours, wherever you’re from. Jokingly, she exclaimed to not, “be afraid to ask your American friends tons of stupid questions either!”
Farzad, who is still in his first year of studying abroad says, “It won’t be easy, but it’s not supposed to be.” As time goes on, it gets easier to adjust to American culture and enjoy the life that you are building for yourself in a new country. “Embrace the challenge,” he says. It is important to remember that there are people all over who are experiencing the same difficulties that you may be, wherever you are from, and wherever you are studying in America.
The decision to study abroad in the US is not one that is made easily for most students, and definitely not one that can be made overnight. Talk with your parents, advisors, and representatives in the program or school you are considering to make sure it is the right fit for you.
A big thanks to Syafawani, Maiwenn, and Farzad for sharing their experiences to help others make this important decision.