my first day here, my family came with me
it was a mixture of excitement and just you know apprehension.
Like coming here I think I made a lot of
memories that are really important for me.
It was like I was a newborn baby here.
Like I need to know how to order the food
Like I need to know how to take the public transportation
that's sort of hard here.
It was scary but it was, I don't know, the thrill I guess, it wasn't too bad
I used to have friends before here
I came here alone and the friends who I played with before
didn't come here. So it's like a totally new environment for me
I made new friends, I became so close to American culture.
and...just experiencing this new life is definitely something amazing for me
adjusting to the new culture was um, well it's hard to say because it was
not difficult, but it was also not easy. I think it's tricky because you think
German culture and American culture are very much alike
they're both Western cultures but then when you get here you see a subtle
differences
and then it's like then you have to get used to it.
Initially adjusting to the new culture
was kinda difficult for me because of so many
differences. Like new style of people
like even like in our culture when we talk to people in
usually don't make eye contact but here is like
all of the looking in the eyes and being confident
and like saying what you believe and stuff like that
maybe America is a little bit more like peaches. You know like soft surfaces like
it's easier maybe get to know them and you know they're friendly but then when you
get at the core
it's like harder to get through there. Like it's harder to take that step and know that
I found a true friend whereas in other cultures and I'd say
Germany's one of those... I forgot what the comparison was maybe a walnut or an apple
like something it's like harder to like get into but once you're close to someone
you know you found a true friend to rely on
In the first few weeks I kinda miss my family and
all my friends 'cause everything's back there
and I just moved to a new place was a big like
difficult get adjust to it but after a while I made new friends here
Back in Germany I'll be home sick a while like you create your own new home are
like it's my experience like wherever you go
I get homesick when I'm alone and just sitting in my apartment by myself
but other than that I usually go out
I don't...I keep interacting myself and like keep myself busy all the time
and I would suggest like to everyone I would recommend like just
taking a comfort item from home like a pillow or
maybe a frame with like a picture in it and I think
everyone should have picture of like friends or family here.
I gotta say international students who are struggling at the moment
talk with people, make more friends
be friendly, go out with them, hang out
and there are really nice people and they'll always help you out
Don't be shy. That's like the first thing I would say because here you just need to be
like to be confident in yourself
Um, a lot of people like people who are confident in themselves and they know what
they're doing
so and definitely yep confidence
and um try to like
make new friends don't be just stuck with your with your old
friends who speak the same language as you do.
Don't be afraid to be rejected um people probably won't and if they do
whatever next like not worth your time
International Center hosts a lot of different program so that
international students can improve their English
and also make friends with
as well as domestic and internet
I mean domestic and International Students. If anyone is in need
I would actually recommend using the counseling center
because they wanted to go there. They're even on campus and asking you
to get informed and see what they offer
They have program mentors
those people you to help you with everything they need if you need just to
talk to someone
if you wanna know like get more information about
on campus resources. They usually help you it's like your mentor
It's made for the international students like a
place where you can go to for
more information about what you should do as an international student and what
you can do. What are your likes?
what is fascinating that is available to you
I think I've seen they offer classes for you know stress relief
or even if you struggle academically or personally whether it's family issues
dating issues
problems with friends. Whatever it is they have people there
that you can talk to
I think in my culture we don't really seek out for help
when it comes to mental stuff.
Singapore is still pretty much on the conservative side
when it comes to mental health. that's not something
anyone would really talk about.
Back home I don't really think we give
priority to mental health that much but here seems like a
very important issue cause
maybe because of the pressure and everything
But over here people are more open about it and more inclined to
share their feelings so I think it's more
acceptable topic to talk about here
I would consider going to the counseling center
if I am not doing well or having a hard time living here and
like in the health center they also have some psychologists who would
help you
yeah I will choose to go to the campus counseling center if I have problems or
for myself. Because they are very helpful and very friendly to me
if I go there I'm pretty sure about that
of course it's that there are going to be times
you think you'd rather be home miss certain things people are giving you a
hard time
or assignments are just giving you a hard time but just keep in mind that it's temporary
most likely it's gonna pass and then and you're gonna
take off again and have a great time here and you also struggle at home
it's not like home is the happy place you tend to think that when you're
somewhere else but you have struggles and I'll hopefully it's like
happy times everywhere so just stick with it and and and
embrace the opportunity.
for more information or if you'd like to speak to someone about yourself
a friend or loved one call 415-476-1281, option number 2
or visit our website
for crisis after hours call
415-476-1281 option number 7