informing people of issues faced by
international students on American college campuses
Common Issues
Students often come to the United States knowing little or no English.
Students expressed difficulty participating in classroom discussion and group work.
Students had difficulty interacting with other students because verbal and listening skills are not as strong as reading and writing comprehension.
Students have difficulty expressing themselves and explaining abstract ideas.
Students are self-conscious of their language skills and as a result become shy, quiet, or reserved.
Students often become friends with others from their own nation because they share the same language and can express their ideas better with each other.
Language
Education
Group work and classroom discussions often poses difficulty for international students.
Understanding of plagiarism is a common problem with the students.
Professors are willing to help international students, but the students need to approach their faculty for help.
Culture
Forming friendships with Americans is difficult.
Americans casual nature towards drugs, alcohol, sexuality, and desire for material goods is unfamiliar to many of these students.
Student's are suprised by the lack of respect American's show towards their elders.
Students had difficulties locating food that appeal to their culture.
Students intial ideas often come from Hollywood movies.
Stereotypes about Americans often form.
