Taylor Wang

Since 2023, the number of international students in PSU has reached an apogee of 7650, led by Chinese nationals. Despite this influx of eager young adults, international students at Abington face various challenges when acclimating to university life. However, numerous resources are available on campus to make their transition easier.

According to a report by Opendoors—a collaborator with the U.S. State Department that reports on border crossings into the United States—the number of international students in the United States has reached over a million since 2023, and this trend shows consistency.

This year, as more Chinese students enrolled at PSU, many experienced a massive “paradigm shift”-like sea change, whether it be cultural, academic, or even culinary. As one of my Chinese dormmates, Alen complained last weekend, “How come it takes seven working days to deliver mail?” (The mail in China is renowned for its next–day efficiency.) Vexing differences like that are myriad; who hasn’t grumbled about the tipping culture in America? Ultimately, we have no choice but to live with them.

The language barrier can be troublesome to these students. Many international students find it grueling to communicate effectively because, at least in China, English is primarily taught for reading comprehension rather than conversation. In other words, there’s no output, only input. As my high school English teacher Joe observed, “Students who score high on English proficiency exams but who cannot form a correct sentence are all too common.” But no worries, PSU hosts services to help.

A free resource at PSU where students can consult English tutors is The Chaiken Center for Student Success (CCSS). Students can conveniently book appointments on Starfish, a platform that keeps students updated on available academic support. CCSS aims to improve clarity and logic through proofreading drafts. Students may communicate with the tutor, practicing spoken English while tailoring specific needs for their essays. This is not only a vital resource for international students but is open to all students at all levels. Through constant practice, improvement is inevitable, and a major obstacle for international students is overcome.

Another resource—that most students are even not aware of yet dowsed in every day—is the internet. Instead of watching Netflix and YouTube with your native subtitles, switch it to English. According to research on subtitled films and vocabulary acquisition by J. Birules-Muntane and S. Soto-Faraco, watching subtitled films expands vocabulary and English knowledge subconsciously: much like how you learned to speak your mother tongue when you were a child. You might find yourself using new phrases and words in conversations without even realizing that you have picked them up; that’s an improvement you can hardly gain from classrooms.

Acclimating to life in America is another problem international students experience. In the article, “Birds of a Feather,” Miller McPherson, Lynn Smith-Lovin, and James M. Cook define the concept of homophily whereby contacts between similar people occur at a higher rate than among dissimilar people. In regard to the language barrier, homophily only exacerbates the difficulties, which is why you barely ever see Chinese hang out with Americans at PSU.

However, if you do wish to step out of your comfort zone and try to make new friends, there are always resources you can utilize. For those who live in Lions Gate (the school’s dorm), feel free to join the pool and Ping Pong games on the second and fourth floors from 8 to 11 on weekdays. Through sports, international students can overcome the barriers between cultures; Nelson Mandela, an African anti-apartheid activist who strives for social justice, once said sports have “the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” If you are willing to reach out, you will see (most) Americans are not as forbidding as you might have feared—at least, this is how I made my first new American friend. However, if you are looking at something a little more “sportive” and you commute to school instead of living in Lions Gate, PSU’s basketball and soccer teams are always open to newcomers.

Despite the challenges of adapting to a new environment, remember there are always resources you can count on at PSU. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask for help. The best week is yet to come!