International students study at thousands of colleges and universities in all 50 US states and their enrollment in higher education in the US has expanded considerably in the last few decades. These students contribute to the diversity of their classrooms, campuses, and communities as they add different perspectives in the classroom and enhance the mutual understanding and appreciation of the differences found around the world (Open doors, 2011). However, Studying abroad is not without its struggles and challenges, and there is evidence that international students experience a range of adjustment issues that can impact their study and the overall experience. Through research and interviews, several findings revealed that international students deal with academic challenges, social isolation, and cultural …show more content…
Because of the language limitations, it is not easy for international students to fully understand what the professors say or what the professors want at the beginning, not to mention participating in class discussions. And professors may not be able to understand the needs of international students if they do not speak out themselves. The language problem could also indirectly increase the workload burden of international students. For example, if an American student can finish a topic in an hour, an international student who does not speak English at home may have to spend three hours to finish the same topic. Fatima is an undergraduate student of biology major at Community College of Aurora. She said, “My English proficiency is not very good now. Sometimes, I really cannot understand the lecture. The reading is very difficult. They are so many words which I cannot understand. When the professors assign us in the discussion groups, I feel left out. My peers might not want to let me join their group. They speak so fast, and they just say it aloud. It is hard to follow