How young international students can integrate into the life of studying in the United States

For younger international students, integrating into the life of studying in the United States will face more challenges, so let me take a look at how young international students can integrate into the life of studying in the United States in 2018.

Common problems among young international students

The first is language. Language challenges have at least two levels: the language proficiency itself and the content of the communication. Students must first have the ability to express themselves fluently in English, and secondly, find common interests in talking to others. You must have both, but the latter is more difficult.

For students who have just arrived overseas, facing an unfamiliar environment, they often choose to interact with Chinese or Chinese students. "Some international students are unwilling to step out of their comfort zone and find it difficult to integrate into the new environment."

Differences in language and ways of thinking are also one of the reasons why it is difficult for students to adapt to the new environment. When many students first arrive abroad, they often fail to understand the jokes told by their classmates.

This is not because they don’t speak English, but because foreigners think differently from us. Many times, if you can't understand the context behind the other person's words, you won't understand the jokes they tell.

In the United States, many people like sports such as baseball and football. But for Chinese people, these sports are not popular, and we don’t understand them well, so there are relatively few exchanges with classmates about them.

In addition to the differences in language and thinking, different entertainment methods and hobbies are also one of the reasons why it is difficult for them to communicate with local students.

How to solve these problems

If you want to integrate into the new environment as soon as possible, you need to be proactive. Even if you are not proficient in the language, you can continue to practice in the process of communicating with the locals. This is The knowledge of the interviewed students.

In fact, many local people are warm and friendly. Students don’t need to be shy and boldly communicate with classmates at school. Not only can they practice their spoken English, but they can also make new friends.

In fact, when interacting with foreigners, it is very important to respect each other. When encountering communication problems, both parties must be open and honest and communicate diligently. For example, foreigners attach great importance to their personal space and should pay attention to it when interacting.

For overseas students, it is important to integrate into the new environment of studying abroad, but they must also respect their own cultural background. We have our own cultural concepts, and we don’t have to cater to things we don’t agree with in order to maintain a relationship. Only with the courage to be yourself can you make true friends overseas.

How to choose courses? How to adjust my GPA?

Choose based on your own interests, which is more related to your future career plans, or the university major you are interested in.

The second point is to choose courses based on your own abilities. Because courses in the United States have different levels and difficulty levels. If you have the ability to complete higher-level courses, being a student who chooses more difficult courses will certainly help you in your future college applications.

If you are confused about whether to take regular or honors classes, it is recommended that you take honors classes, because both are sometimes a prerequisite for taking AP classes. For example, you must first take regular and honors chemistry classes. , to take AP Chemistry class. The teacher will also recommend classes for you to take next year based on your usual performance, but sometimes the results are not the classes you want to take.

AP Mathematics and AP Calculus, but the teacher did not recommend AP Calculus to you, but recommended regular or honors calculus to you. At this time, you may need to fight with the teacher to express your determination. . Your guardian can also communicate with your instructor about your course selection.

There are many choices for extracurricular activities in the United States. In addition to studying, everyone has a wide range of interests and hobbies. Therefore, top academics here are often those who are excellent at studies and have excellent extracurricular performance. There are many students with excellent overall conditions like this. In order to fit into such an environment, you need to choose extracurricular activities that match your interests.

How to integrate into an American host family

Everyone’s attitude and friendliness will greatly affect your homestay experience.

In the first few weeks, living in a new country and a new family can sometimes be difficult. You may feel homesick and not adapt to the new environment and language. This is normal. Give yourself some time to adapt to the new environment. environment. If you have difficulty adjusting to your host family, you should try to communicate with them about your problems and anxieties. Many problems and misunderstandings are often resolved in this way.

Food

American high school host families will provide different types of balanced and nutritious meals. The host family will ask everyone about their likes and dislikes of food in order to try to satisfy everyone's tastes. If students don't like a certain food, they should politely tell them. We can also prepare dinner for them to share Chinese delicacies.

Accommodation

Everyone will have their own room. The room can be locked if necessary, but the host parents must have a spare key.

Discuss with your host parents the time you want to spend alone. Respecting privacy is important, but spending too much time alone or writing/talking too much in your native language will inevitably shorten your English practice time.

OK

Don’t rely on your host family to drive you to school. Use public transportation as much as possible. If you make polite and reasonable requests, the host parents will be willing to drive you to school activities. If everyone is sick or injured, the host family must provide transportation to take everyone to the hospital or see a doctor, but students are not allowed to drive the host family's car without permission.

Communication

Students should be reminded that when making international long-distance calls to their parents in China, they must obtain permission from the host family before using the phone. Each conversation should not be too long. (No more than 15 minutes). Do not use the phone after 10 pm.

In addition, you can watch TV and participate in other family entertainment activities at appropriate times. Doing so will quickly improve everyone's English and get along better with your family.

Others

When you go out, you must tell your host parents where you are going, who you are with, when you will return home, and you must return home at a time approved by the host parents. If you are late to return home, please call the host family. Overnight stays and out-of-town trips with non-host family members require the host parent's consent. Homestay families welcome you as part of their family, which means you will not be treated like a guest. If students violate U.S. laws, they will be handed over to the police and U.S. Immigration Services. Host parents will not be responsible for students' illegal behavior.