By Dahyun Lee, Jimin Jang, & Natalie Martinez
21-year-old CSUSB exchange student Lee Eun-seo worries about her experience so far in a new school. “I think I feel lonely living alone in another country. Before I came to the exchange student program, I thought I could make a lot of friends, but I’m having a hard time making friends. If there was an exchange system for exchange students, it would be a little easier to make friends.”
She is one of many international students that have voiced their concerns on campus this semester.
In the spring semester of 2022, new international students arrived at CSUSB to experience various cultures and improve their English skills, but instead are struggling to adapt and thrive within the program’s less than ideal socialization process. In the spring semester of 2022, new international students arrived at CSUSB to experience various cultures and improve their English skills, but instead are struggling to adapt and thrive within the program’s less than ideal socialization process. The international student program at CSUSB is located in California, which has various cultural backgrounds, though the difficulties of college life in unfamiliar environments are diverse. It is not easy to fully use on-campus services and facilities on a student’s own in the first school that the student encounters. Under a new system that international students have never experienced, they are in a disadvantageous position to receive CSUSB’s learning programs and academic information.
Although CSUSB in 2019 held as many as 1,476 international students, it ranked 229th place among the most popular colleges for international students, according to college facts.
There are also language barriers for international students. Poor English skills can affect classes and lead to poor learning and poor communication, which in turn makes it more difficult to adapt. For this reason, the school’s own international student adaptation support program is essential to ease the difficulties of international students who have to live with linguistic and cultural differences.
However, CSUSB has not provided orientation for international students nor opportunities to interact with American students. Due to the lack of basic programs, many international students were forced to find information on their own, such as learning systems and clubs. Even that information was difficult to find on the official website. Through this process, one must ask the question, “What can the school do to help with this problem, and what types of aid are international students requesting?”
20-year old CSUSB exchange student Lee Yoo-jin states that Language problems are the most difficult. I want to participate actively in class, but it’s hard to communicate, so I feel intimidated and depressed. It’s good to be able to meet new cultures and various people, but it’s a shame that there’s no exchange system or English tutoring program for exchange students.
Though there may be a reason for these surfacing complaints from exchange students, one is still being dealt with around the world. Because of COVID-19, “orientation and many events for international students have been postponed,” said Amy, an official at the CSUSB International Department. “After
When the face-to-face class starts, the programs for international students will be prepared again.
However, it should be noted that even after the face-to-face class began, notification of international student programs has not yet been conducted. Based on several students’ concerns, the practical way to solve these grievances of international students is through active exchanges between international students and CSUSB students. Communication is key and is what international students actively seek. They just want to be given the means and opportunity. Among international students, gaining experience in conversation with Korean students is cited as the best way to adapt to Korean life and learn Korean.
Lee Yoo-jin supports this claim, stating, “I expected that there would be many opportunities to learn English through natural conversations with American students before coming to the United States.”
The program is intended to educate students based on the adaptation of said students in the exchange program. The goal for students is for the school to learn from their experiences and to create a mentoring system focused solely on the needs of international students that can increase their capacity as well as ensure learning opportunities. Schooling and the priority of the overall orientation should also be important for service operations and facilities, one of many issues international students hope to have solved.
International students lead their educational journey with cultural exchanges and interactions. It is crucial for their adaptation, education, and careers. Therefore, an active communication orientation, mentoring opportunities, and adjustment program for them must be a priority.
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