by Michelle Siegel
Three international students convened to share how they have encountered and dealt with culture shock in “Adjusting to Life in the U.S.: A Panel for International Students,” held on Oct. 3 at H.J. Patterson Hall by the International Student Union.
The panel consisted of Calvin Leung, an undergraduate from Hong Kong pursuing a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering, Sharon How, a graduate student from Singapore — who studied in China as an undergraduate — pursuing a Master of Music in piano performance, and Martha Yumiseva-Lackenbacher, a doctoral student from Ecuador pursuing a Ph.D in family science.
The panelists began by discussing topics they wish they had understood about life in the U.S. before they had arrived in the country — including small talk, health insurance, credit scores and tipping — followed by naming resources that have helped them be successful in their academic programs, such as approaching faculty and upperclassmen.
Later, the panelists gave some suggestions for making friends at this university (e.g., joining interest groups, saying “yes” to people, associating with individuals from different cultures and bonding with one’s cohort), then moved on to providing advice for self-care in the face of homesickness (e.g., shopping at supermarkets that sell food from one’s home culture, establishing free time, making use of campus facilities, working out, eating healthy, connecting with other students from one’s home culture and FaceTiming home).
Toward the end of the event, the panelists offered some tips for international students seeking on-campus jobs or graduate assistantships, such as talking to advisors, being wary of employer stipulations on hiring international students and visiting the University Career Center.
There are plans for a transcript of the panel to be released online by the ISU before the end of October.
Leung, an officer of the board for the ISU, also attended the inaugural panel last year.
“Back then, I [was a] new college student,” Leung said after the panel. “I didn’t know how to approach settling in, and I saw the title of the panel. And I [felt] like, this year, I could help other students if they are having difficulties in their adjustment period — so that’s why I agreed to be on this panel.”
How, who learned about the panel via email, shared similar sentiments.
“I think that by answering these questions, I can help some of the international students assimilate into the environment better,” How said after the panel. “And also having the rich experiences of being in China and here, I think I can share some of my insights that would be helpful.”
Yumiseva-Lackenbacher, who heard about the panel from a colleague at the School of Public Health, also wanted to give her advice to incoming international students.
“We are all going through the same things. We all miss home. We all love America,” Yumiseva-Lackenbacher said after the panel. “We all love to be here, but at the same time, we’re not Americans. If any of the things that I have done wrong, help someone else who comes in…then I’m totally open to tell them [my experiences].”
Event proceedings were moderated by Kathryn Hopps, the program director for experiential learning in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, who co-advises the ISU alongside Brittany Kyser, the program coordinator and executive assistant for the Anwar Sadat Chair for Peace and Development and coordinator for the University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll.
According to Hopps, the ISU “serves the [needs] of international students and provides a place for students who wish to connect with other students who have international and diverse backgrounds.”
“Part of our mission,” Hopps said, “is to help international students acclimate to the University of Maryland community.”
Featured photo courtesy of Brittany Kyser.