1.

When flatmates choose booze Perhaps it goes without saying, but it’s good to remember differences in culture may affect relationships with flatmates or socialization opportunities. In the UK, for example, regular consumption of alcohol is often seen as an ‘integral’ aspect of student life. In fact, a 2016 survey by the National Union of Students* found that 41% of university-goers reported getting drunk at least once per week. On the flipside, 26% of non-EU nationals studying in the UK reported never drinking alcohol at all (as opposed to just 6% of UK and EU nationals). These variation in culture and university traditions can lead to tension or difficulties in socializing within a residential environment — and it’s something students should be prepared for.

4.

Baffling contracts Navigating complex tenancy agreements and other documentation can seem a mammoth task, even for students fluent in the first language of their host country. Foreign norms and conventions as well as language barriers can result in misunderstandings of legally binding documents. It’s important for international students to find the right advice. Universities often offer a comprehensive contract-checking service, both to aid interpretation and to help negotiate contracts*. Its important to know how to access such services.

2.

Accommodation that isn’t accommodating It’s often overlooked, but international students may need living space that caters to their own culture and values. For example, some students might require a different kind of kitchen setup for specific religious requirements in food preparation*. Alternatively, an en-suite may be needed for religious ritual washing, or for those from more private or conservative cultures*. If this isn’t possible, well-thought-out and supported adaptation strategies are required.

5.

When the remote doesn’t work. Sourcing a home from afar. House-hunting from thousands of miles away comes with a whole set of challenges, and pinpointing the right accommodation to suit your needs can be difficult. Peer-to-peer communication may be very useful, and many universities now facilitate the communication of prospective students via digital platforms like Facebook*. Conversations with new or existing students more familiar with the can help. Hearing about the lay of the land from a local can teach you about safety, transport practicality and of course, what you should and shouldn’t be paying.

3.

Homesickness triggered by the most unexpected things…. Homesickness can be triggered by a range of factors, even seemingly trivial ones. For example, students in The Guardian* newspaper report that their homesickness was triggered by missing home-cooked meals and differences in local habits and customs. For example different ideas about what constitutes “polite behaviour” at mealtimes in their new country can present stresses that require strategies of adjustment and mitigation.

6.

Living off-campus and being unaccustomed to independence. Students who are not used to living independently, and especially those living offcampus may struggle to adapt to completing everyday tasks without parental guidance*. Some areas that international students can struggle with include cooking, cleaning and budgeting. These difficulties may negatively impact on both the student’s relationship with housemates and their own mental health. International students face a range of issues outside of the obvious, but with the correct preparation before moving, many of these can be avoided. As ever, planning and communication prior to arrival remains one of the most powerful tactics in relieving some of the inevitable hurdles.

References

Forbes-Mewett, H. & Sawyer, A. M., 2011. Mental health issues amongst international students in Australia: perspectives from prefessionals at the coal-face, paper presented to the Australian Sociological Assosciation Conference Local Lives/Global Networks. s.l.:University of Newcastle New South Wales.

National Union of Students, 2016. Students and alcohol, s.l.: NUS.

Rushall, M., 2010. Managing accommodation for international students: a handbook for practitioners, Leeds: UNIPOL.

Young-Powell, A., 2018. Homesickness at university: is there a cure?. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/dec/19/homesickness-at-university-is-there-a-cure [Accessed 18 August 2020].