Host family

Most of the students will live in a host family when they are studying in US. The host family programs suppose to provide an American home experience for international students from other countries. Most of them have the experience with the host family. Some of the host family is bad; some of the host family is good. The international students cannot choose host family, the organization of the host family assign the host randomly. When I arrived in US, I live in my uncle home. I stayed in there for one and a half year. I feel like I am not in them. The family has too many rules for me to follow. I need to sleep and turn off all the light at ten. Apart from these, I feel like I am in a jail. I have no social life because I don’t have a car and the distance from my home to school by car is more than half an hour. That’s the reason why I moved out. One of my friends is living in a host family, and she said her host family is so nice. I moved to her place and lived with host family for half a year. The host family is really nice and they are from Taiwan. The hosts always asked us to have meal, and always afraid we were hungry. He helped us to sweep and clean up the floor. All in all, I have a nice and remarkable experience with my host family.

International students face discrimination problem

Everyone should be born equal but there is discrimination in this society such as age, social class, sexual and race discrimination. Discriminate hurts everyone. Discrimination refers to a group of people that is given different treatment then the general population, for personal reasons unrelated to their merits, but rather some other property , such a race, sex, religion, social class, age, health status. Discrimination based on personal qualities. They have been marginalized. Racial discrimination is one of the crucial problems for international students. Because they are discriminated against and due to their exclusion of mainstream society, it is easy to lose the opportunities to enjoy the college life in United States. For example, it is harder to get into the position of the student union because most of the student union is local students. Everyone should respect the others. International students may feel discriminate and isolate by the local students in US because they have different culture and different background. Most of the international students will make friends with other international students that in the same motherland because they have chat topics and they feel security with them. Vise verse, the local students will more likely to make friends with local students. Because most of the students in the universities are American, international students are hard to make friends with international students. One of the best ways is to join some events in the international student office. Apart from this, they can go to church or fellowship to make friends because those people are friendly.

International students face culture differences

International student may face culture differences in United States. They may experience some kind of culture shock. America is country that has personal freedom which everyone seems to want but the international students may think this country is too open mind and hard to adjust their mind. They need to accept and understand the culture of America. For example, they need to understand that a simple “how are you?” is only greeting. It is just like saying “good morning or hi.”. Most of the international students come to America after their high school life. In China, they need to rise their hand to ask the teacher to have the permission of going to the restroom. The students in China are more respectful and politeness to the teachers. In community college of the America, I had seen some of the Chinese classmates ask for the permission of going to the restroom. The students in America have a better relationship with their teachers. The American students have large collection of friends and their groups of friends changes over time. The American has less interested in the past and look forward. They eye on near-term future. They are easily to forget the past and goes on. These kinds of culture differences may be the obstacles of making American friends in America. These may affect their personality and the views of things. To deal with this, the international students can make friends with other international students or try to accept the American culture.

International students face environmental change

Many international student need to come to the U.S. alone. It may be the first time they separate with their parents. They are teenagers and need to learn how to be independent. Most of the international students come here at the age around 16 to 20. They may become homesick when away from family for long periods of time. Apart from this, they may feel lonely, helpless and boring studying aboard because some of their friends may travel home for Thanksgiving holidays. They may need to leave to find a place to stay when the dorms close. In the summer, some of the international students want to save money and don’t’ go back to their home country. They may stay at home and have a sense of disconnect from school and family. They may need to cook for themselves, if they don’t know how to cook; they need to adapt the fast food in US. They need to learn how to do laundry and clean their room by themselves. They need to take care themselves and solve the problem themselves. They can't get help with their parents immediately. They need to learn how to drive because the distance from one place to another is long. To deal with the homesick problem, they can buy an international prepaid phone card to connect with their parents. They can also use the free internet chat, for example, Skype and MSN to have a video call with their parents and their old friends.

Improve English skills

International students face many challenges. As an international student, they face many problems and boundaries. English is their second language. International students vary widely in their proficiency in English. English has many different pronunciations, spelling rules and grammatical constructions. They need to understand what their professor says, spend more effort and focus in class. They know English but there is still a gap of understanding English basics and fluency. One of the best ways to improve English skills is to practice. Practice make perfect. They can try and do everything in English. They can send their messages, email, and online chat in English. In United States, there is always a good chance to speak English. Make friends with local students can help them to speak more English. Also, they can read more English book and listen to English songs and radios. If they find any words that they don’t know, drop it down and try to know the meanings of that word, for example, they can use their dictionary to find out what’s the word means. They can also find some practice English exercise books in bookstore. If they are having difficulties of learning English by themselves, they can attend ESL (English as a second language) classes. ESL classes help non-native students to improve their English skills. Apart from this, they can attend English class online. They might want to give up when they feels like they gain nothing after they study in English. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because people who make mistakes learn faster as the experience taught them invaluable lesson. All in all, practice and study can help them to improve their English skills.

life goes on..(ignore)

so dead in third week
the pain just never goes away
headache hang around at the most inappropriate time
ive been torn apart
broken
panic
half way dying

I have a lot to do
Study for GRE, ask for recommendation letters, personal statement…etc.
Can I finish all those before the deadline? I really don’t know.
way too little progress on my stupid papers, homework and midterm exam…
i dont have time to be sick
and i dont have the luxury time to lie on bed to get recovered
What I can do is keep studying, trying my best with no regrets.
It’s the only way for me to success
Sometimes I know what you pay is not equal to what you get but if you wouldn't pay, don't ever think of getting back a penny.
can i make it thru the dead week and be survived in the even deadER week coming ahead?

Apart from academic,
Sometimes I proud of myself because of my impetuous,
in parallel, I hate myself because of it.
I just can’t hide my feelings in front of people,
I am trying to keep my smile.

The complex human relationship
and something so called friendship
is the thing I never understand

I can't find anyone to hold me, to be reluctant me to leave.
Deeply, I can't acquaint thoroughly with at least a person in that group.
I don't know what has happened, just feels like I am not as close as before with familiar friend.

If it is the way it is,
Should I leave..?

累