For many international students, the chance to study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain knowledge and information that may help them succeed in their careers.

The Office of International Education helps guides these students through the process and allows them to adjust to life outside their home country.

As an international student, this comes with many challenges. Language barriers, for example, these students might need help understanding lecturers and communicating with other students and staff.

The culture shock that comes with living in another country’s customs, social norms, and traditions may be very different and hard to navigate. Due to financial issues and being homesick, students can become isolated and depressed due to various problems.

The Office of International Education is an international student’s first and most important resource they have available.

Mary Hunter (Director of International Student Services) helps international students obtain a visa to study internationally and hosts the global new student orientations online as well as job placement. Most importantly, she offers international students general support and crisis management.

She says, “The two most common challenges, and I think they go hand in hand, are cultural adjustments, building friendships, and differences in education systems,”

She continued to say “You have students coming here with a variety of goals. Some are here just to study for a semester or a year and may never go abroad again through students who have dreamt of being a US citizen for years or decades and helping them to understand how you get from student to citizen or permanent resident.”

The Office of International Education has set up a website for international students to access all documents they may need while living in the United States.

 Minjun Xiao (Junior, Business) (International Student Assistant), who is originally from China shares, “International students face challenges when studying abroad, including language barriers, cultural differences, homesickness, and academic difficulties. Unlike local students, most of their friends and family live in their home countries. They may feel helpless or nervous when arriving in the United States.”

She goes on to continue that she has experienced this herself. She says, “To help address these challenges, the International Student Office provides various resources and services to help students prepare for their transition to a new environment as well as orientation programs to help students get familiar with the campus culture and connect with other international and domestic students.” 

The International Student Services office helps international students connect with the broader campus community.

“Our International Buddy Program helps connect domestic and international students in a group primarily with similar interests,” says Kenneth Ramirez (International Student Assistant.)

Ramierez(Junior, History) helps facilitate and coordinate events for the Office of International Education.

“Everyone in the Office of International Education has lived or traveled abroad and speaks multiple languages. We understand what it’s like. That is something we have to offer. We’ve struggled with those challenges ourselves,” says Mary Hunter on being an International Student. 

The Office of International Education is valuable to students, faculty, and staff. Their commitment to creating a welcoming and global environment for everyone on campus demonstrates Stan States’ commitment to promoting all-inclusiveness.

Please follow the link provided to learn more about the Office of International Education.