Your first semester as an international student on a U.S. college campus is a time filled with many emotions. This might include excitement, nervousness, anxiety, anticipation, curiosity, and more.
Here are 5 common mistakes international students make during their first semester at college in the U.S.
- Not arriving on campus early enough
- Not getting involved in extracurricular activities
- Inadequate planning with finances
- Failing to ask for help when needed
- Spending too much time with students from your home country
It is important to arrive on campus as early as you can. You do not want to miss the orientation week. That is where you will receive a lot of valuable information. Some college campuses are very large, and this is a great opportunity to learn where your classes will be. It will also allow you to get adjusted and settled in before the semester begins.
While it is important to spend enough time studying, it is also important to make friends and get refreshed so you do not burn out. One great way to do this is to get involved in extracurricular activities. All colleges have clubs and organizations, and most large universities have hundreds of clubs and offer intramural sports. This is a great way to take a break from studying and meet new people who have similar interests as you.
Financial mistakes are mistakes international students make often. They are usually either one of two mistakes. Either they can participate in too many activities and spend more money than they have. Or they can underspend and miss out on a lot of the fun in college. It is important to make a budget so you can participate in some fun activities but also not go broke.
Another way to ensure that you do not become bankrupt is by making sure you have a good international student insurance plan. If you don’t have one, you need one. If you do have one but want to travel outside the U.S.A. then you will need a short-term travel insurance plan. We offer the perfect plan for you here: https://www.gninsurance.com/health/students/patriot-exchange/
International students can often be shy and because of that fail to ask for help when they need it. Most universities have many resources, and they exist to provide assistance to all students. For instance, you can ask professors, counselors, advisors, or even administrators for help. Some of the best resources are upper classmen, and many of them are happy to help you not make the same mistakes they did. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
The final common mistake international students make is spending too much time with people from their home country. There is nothing wrong with spending time with people from your home country. It can help you recharge and feel more comfortable. However, this may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you may only have a short time to spend in the U.S.
Try and make the most of this opportunity by spending time with people from other cultures as well. There may be students from dozens of countries on your campus, and this is a great chance to learn about their language and culture.
Be aware that you will make mistakes in college because everyone does. We hope to help you prevent making easily preventable mistakes if possible. Enjoy your experience as an international student!
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Good Neighbor Insurance has been in business for over 20 years! Every one of our internationally trained and licensed insurance agents has a heart to serve you, our guests. It is a joy to know that we can provide you peace of mind with one of our many international student insurance options to safe guard from financial calamity as well as providing you the best overseas medical care during your studies and travels.
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Have amazing and safe travels!
