Being an international student from Bangladesh, I have traveled more than 12 thousand kilometers just to be here at University of Rochester today. I have left behind everything back at home including my family and cats (I wish I could see them more often). However, despite the difficulties, it has brought me here and I am so happy that I get to share my experience with you all today. I hope I can bring prospective international students and families some insight on how it is here!
I still remember move-in day on August 18, 2021. I packed a lot (a little too much) in two suitcases and arrived at University of Rochester. My family had flown over from Bangladesh to stay at my aunt’s place so they dropped me off at my dorm and helped me set up my room. In 30 minutes, they had all left. After they left, it took me quite a bit to realize that I’m on my own now in my dorm waiting to meet my roommate (who was also an international student from Egypt). When she arrived, we went for lunch and fast forward to November 2024, she’s still my best friend in college and my roommate! I really got lucky when I chose my roommate, so if you’re scared of bad roommate experiences, don’t be! Life is very unexpected and you might just meet your best friend!
My first year was really difficult. The transition from high school to college in a foreign country is not for the weak. I had faced a lot of culture shock (like wearing shorts while jogging during the snowy winter) and I learned the way things are in Rochester. I also had faced imposter syndrome and I am pretty sure the other international students also felt the same way— I did not feel like I belonged here. However, as time passed me by, I met so many unique individuals who made me feel so very included, made sure I felt at home and shared their beautiful culture, lived experiences and perspectives on life. That’s the beautiful thing about this place, it brings so many people together from all across the globe. They truly made me feel like I had a second family here in Rochester. So for everyone who is worried about finding friends, you will find your people in due time; just be open and willing to conversation!
I am a very curious person myself when it comes to other cultures, traditions, countries and languages. A lot of my friends are international students as well and they have taught me so much about their homelands, they have fed me food from their countries, dressed me up in their traditional attire— and I have done the same. It’s a beautiful way of expanding your knowledge about the world while experiencing it.
Although there are many positive experiences I’ve had, there were some sad ones as well. The sad part about being an international student is that during holidays like thanksgiving, all the domestic students go back home and get to meet their families. Times like these make me wish I lived close to my family but they’re on the other side of the globe. Another issue about being an international student for many people is the language barrier. A lot of people think in their native language and not English, so when they portray their feelings in English, native English speakers might not understand fully where they are coming from. I often translate Bengali phrases into English and ask my friends if they ever heard of them— most of the time, the answer is no, but sometimes they also have the same proverb in their language! And to those of you who are getting made fun of for your accents, I want to tell you to be confident regardless— embrace your accent. Wear it as a badge of honor, you know more than one language and in my opinion, that’s something very admirable and impressive!
If you are an international student, there are some resources you could make use of. I have listed them down below:
ISO is located in College Town, and they help you with legal matters such as renewing your I-20 and visa (F1, J1) support. Sometimes they take students out to places like Niagara Falls, Radio Social, the mall etc. They do a lot of events such as International Student Appreciation Day.
If English isn’t your first language, you could definitely check the WSAP out! There are people who help you with public speaking and conversation skills.
If you are going through something while in the States and you’re far from your family and don’t want support from friends, you can always go to UCC for 1 on 1 counseling sessions. There are also cross-cultural therapy groups that you could join. I understand that there can be many stressors in a student’s life, so I encourage you to seek help if you need to.
All in all, life as an international student can have both ups and downs. You might feel like no one can relate to you, but make sure you are putting yourself out there and your kind of people will gravitate towards you. Don’t be afraid of trying new experiences out. I can’t believe I am a senior now, time really flashes by when you’re in college! Make the most of your time here, international Yellowjackets!!