An International Student’s Point of View

The following perspective is fictional, but it is informed by articles and research about the experiences of international students studying abroad. While the character “Alex” is fictional, the challenges and experiences described below are based on common experiences reported by international students around the world. 

The following perspective is fictional, but it is informed by the following sources:

Fadeyi, N. (2025, February 3). Culture shock: A perspective of an international student arriving to study in the UK. University of Northampton. https://www.northampton.ac.uk/blog/culture-shock-a-perspective-of-an-international-student-arriving-to-study-in-the-uk/?utm_source

Newsome, L. K., & Cooper, P. (2016). International students’ cultural and social experiences in a British university: “Such a hard life [it] is here”. Journal of International Students, 6(1), 195–215. https://www.ojed.org/jis/article/view/488?utm_source

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301635588_International_Students'_Cultural_and_Social_Experiences_in_a_British_University_Such_a_hard_life_it_is_here 

Before sharing this perspective, it is important to remember that millions of students leave their home countries every year to study abroad. While studying overseas can be exciting, it can also be challenging. International students often find themselves navigating unfamiliar cultures, languages, and social expectations. 

My name is Alex, and I am an international student from South Korea studying in Canada.

When I first arrived in Canada, everything felt different. The language, the food, and even the way people interacted with each other were unfamiliar to me. One of the biggest cultural shocks was how casually students spoke to their teachers. In my home country, students usually show a high level of formality and respect toward teachers, so seeing students call their professors by their first names felt strange at first.

I also found classroom discussions challenging. Canadian classes encouraged students to express their opinions freely and participate actively, while I was used to listening quietly and taking notes. Sometimes I worried about saying the wrong thing or being misunderstood. There were moments when I felt like an outsider.

However, I also met people who were curious about my culture and willing to learn about my background. Those conversations helped me feel accepted and connected. They reminded me that understanding often begins with something as simple as listening.

From my experience, many misunderstandings are not caused by bad intentions. Instead, they happen because people make assumptions about others without taking the time to understand them. When people are open-minded and willing to communicate, those barriers become much smaller.

Because of this, I believe that understanding differences can help create a more peaceful world. It may not solve every conflict, but it can reduce fear, stereotypes, and prejudice. When people learn about one another’s experiences, they become more likely to see each other as individuals rather than as members of a different group.

As an international student, I have learned that differences do not have to separate people. In fact, they can become opportunities for learning, friendship, and personal growth.

What do you think? Have you ever learned something important from someone whose background was different from your own?