No matter how anxious you are to travel to an international destination for a college education, or how good your grades or your language skills, international travel and attending school far away from home often has an emotional and sometimes mental impact on students. Dealing with the stress of being in a new environment, competing with others, trying to make friends, and striving for good grades often leaves some students feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.

A list created by the Research Consortium of Counseling and Psychological Services in Higher Education have designed approximately seven categories in which international students may need a little extra help and support. This includes, verbatim:

• School related (adjustment to university life, academic problems, etc.)
• Emotional distress (depression, self-esteem, anxiety, self confidence, etc.)
• Interpersonal/relationship concerns (making friends, dating, etc.)
• Developmental issues (spiritual concerns, values, career concerns, sexual orientation, etc.)
• Behavioral problems (study habits, procrastination, eating, substance abuse, etc.)
• Environmental stressors (discrimination, sexual assault)
• Physical health problems (wait, sleep difficulties, illness, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, etc.)

Students obtaining higher education in foreign destinations helped compile the list, which contains over three dozen factors or triggers that may cause international students worries and concerns. In addition to the above issues, students overwhelmingly offered the five top concerns that caused stress in their environments. For students studying in the United States, these five include, again in verbatim:

• Adjustment to U.S culture
• Communicating with professors/authorities
• English language ability
• Getting more using transportation
• Reentry to home country

It is understood that cultural differences can leave students feeling confused and lost in a new country. Depending on the country of origin, a student may be hesitant or fearful of expressing his or her concerns or worries.  African students may hesitate to lodge complaints against their peers or other faculty members in the event of discrimination for fear of being sent home.

Students may also be dealing with issues of homesickness, social discomfort and confusion regarding values and beliefs systems. Ethnic and racial discrimination are also issues that many African students must deal with in their host country. African students who feel isolated from the general school population, either due to language difficulties, cultural differences, or belief systems may find himself under added pressure in the school environment.

International students may also experience concerns regarding relationships among their peers, as well as uncertainty regarding the development of romantic relationships, especially since culture, upbringing, and customs of both African student and individuals in a foreign country may vastly differ in regard to manners, customs, and comportment.

Regardless of the reason, international students not only face difficulties presented by typical higher education environments, but must also deal with the added pressure caused by distance and separation from their home, customs, and belief systems.

International students are encouraged to seek counseling services at their new school if they are having trouble adjusting to their new environment.