10 Everyday Struggles Only International Students Will Understand

Studying abroad can sound glamorous on Instagram. But everyday grind here hits very different. Most of the students step out of the plan thinking they have got this. But within a week they end up googling things like “why is laundry so expensive here” or “how to survive without home food.” And you are not alone in all of this. These international student struggles hit almost everyone at some point. Below are the ten big ones amongst others. Messy, relatable, & very, very real. Let’s get started! 

Homesickness & That Weird Loneliness Nobody Prepares You For 

When you are thousands of miles away from home, homesickness hits you harder than you thought. One minute you are eating a sandwich after class. In the next minute some songs play & you get remembered of your home.  

• This is one of the things that international students struggle with. They state that the first 3–6 weeks feel emotional chaos.  

• And yeah, those late-night video calls practically become a lifeline. Surveys show 67% of international students report feeling homesick in their first month abroad. 

Culture Shock That Hits You in Waves 

The weirdest part in this is that cultural shock doesn’t arrive dramatically. It is in the tiny things that pile up. Not knowing when to tip & thinking that whether “Hey, what’s up?” is an actual question.  

• It is one of those challenges of living abroad as a student that nobody warns you about. Around 45% of international students say navigating day-to-day social norms is harder than handling academics. 

Language Barriers Beyond the Textbook 

Even if you scored great in your language tests, real conversations are totally different. There are fast accents, sarcasm, & regional slang. So, half of the time all you are doing is nodding politely even if you maybe understood 40% of the conversation that happened.   

• This is one of the biggest international students struggles that they come across.  

• According to some studies, more than 52% of students abroad struggle more with casual conversations than with coursework. 

The Financial Pressure Nobody Talks About Enough 

The financial struggles of an international student are intense at the next level. Tuition fees, grocery bills & student accommodation rents; everything feels overpriced. One bad exchange or overspending on something can pave way for money stress.  

• And if you consider the strict work hour limits in countries like UK, USA, & Australia, budgeting is a full-time survival skill.  

• Even studies state that around 74% of international students face ongoing money stress, once in a while.   

Doing Life Alone: Cooking, Laundry & All the Solo Adulting 

This is the part that suddenly hits you. You are suddenly becoming an all-rounder. You are a chef, housekeeper, financial planner, & cleaner. Basically, all in one.  

• Burnt meals? Check. Laundry disasters? Check. Accidentally buying fabric softener instead of detergent? Been there.  

• These small everyday experiences are some of the rawest international students struggles.  

• Nearly 55% of students say they learned “real adulting” only after moving abroad. 

Navigating a Completely Different Academic System 

If you are in a completely different country, then you must follow the different academic rules they have. Some unis expect you to participate in weekly debates. Others require you to submit long, independent research essays.  

• Then there will be variety in referencing styles, plagiarism policies, & grading patterns. This can make things feel absolutely mad in the beginning. 

•  Around 42% of international students struggle with adapting to academic expectations during the first term, making it a core part of international student struggles.  

Time Zone Troubles 

Talking with your family back home becomes a whole puzzle. Your morning means it’s midnight. Their evening means it is your lunch. So, someone will always be half asleep during the calls.  

• It is one of those international student struggles that nobody thinks about, until you are living in one.  

• It can eventually take a toll on your mental health, sleep cycles, & sometimes even academics.  

• This leads create “call windows”. It usually means that they will call everyone on Saturdays or Sundays, just to stay sane.  

Finding Familiar Food & Adjusting to New Diets 

Craving your home cooked food is real. You can try local food & even find some great dishes, but nothing beats food from home.  

• Students often spend their weekends looking out for Asian, Indian, African, Mediterranean, or Latin grocery stores.  

• It helps them remain more grounded. A global study has stated that around 61% of students struggle to adjust to local food culture. 

Housing & Student Accommodation Issues Abroad 

Finding good housing abroad is a whole separate mission. You will have to deal with contracts, deposits, bills, random fees, loud roommates, & safety concerns. Things can get overwhelming very fast.  

• There’s a reason searches for “the best student accommodation” explode every semester.  

• A survey even reports that 48% of international students struggle with housing in their first year.  

• Amidst all of this, it’s very important for students to stay aware of the housing scams. Accordingly, one must proceed with precautions.   

Visa & Legal Complications That Never Leave Your Mind 

Visa rules can feel like a maze. Attendance percentages matter. Work limits matter. Document dates matter. Miss one thing & you’re spiraling at 2 AM Googling “What if I submit this one day late?”  

• Around 36% of international students say visa/legal stress is their biggest long-term burden. Thus, making it a constant part of international student struggles.  

• You can talk to university international offices, but that background fear? Kind of always there. 

Conclusion 

Studying abroad is a life-changing thing. But it does comes with a bundle of everyday struggles. The good part in all of this is students grow through it. Eventually they end up finding their people & slowly building a version of “home” far from home.  

And if you’re stuck between housing searches, budgeting stress, or finding the right neighborhood, University Living can take a bit of that weight off your shoulders. Find your premium quality, verified home with us today! 

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