Health Struggles for Students Studying Abroad

Studying in a prestigious educational institution is a desire of every individual. In the quest to fulfilling this dream, most tend to apply to institutions abroad. Life is a collection of challenges! As soon as a student overcomes the obstacle of getting admission to his/her desired college or university abroad, he/she has to face more challenges. An international student must obtain a thorough medical check-up before going abroad to study despite not having any major health issues. They must also keep a list of essential pharmaceuticals that they need along with prescriptions so that it isn't difficult for them to get their medicines abroad. Let us now discuss the types of health struggles that one can anticipate when studying abroad, along with ways to defeat such challenges.

1. Emotional Health It is normal to feel homesick when studying abroad as it isn't possible to make close friends so soon. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but most of the international students feel lonely, scared, and homesick for the first few months. It is always better to seek help in such cases. Thankfully almost every University or College assigns certain students and professors for international students, and their job is to make them feel welcome. Another option is to visit a counselor on-campus or off-campus according to the student's comfort. A counselor's role is to make sure that a student feels comfortable enough to talk about his/her problems and chalk out a practical solution. The counselors' degree mandates that every conversation is kept confidential, which is why most international students don't mind seeking help from such counselors. Such counselors are experienced in handling the delicate issues of international students through empathetic ways. Simple things like communicating your feelings with someone you can trust, who understands you, and gives importance to your problems can work wonders for your emotional health.

2. Food and Water  Our digestive system gets used to the type of food and water that we have had since childhood, and hence, it takes some time for our stomach to get used to the food and water of a new place. Therefore, international students must be extremely cautious as to what they eat or drink abroad. It is essential to make sure that the water is not contaminated and to stay hydrated in case of food poisoning or diarrhea. Experimenting with new types of food is excellent, but international students must also know what goes down well with their system. A healthy body is essential for maximum productivity; hence prevention is better than cure!

3. Stress  A new environment, new people, new academic schedules, new teachers all this can be a bit overwhelming for most international students. Adjusting to this will take some time. There will be times when you will have cultural shocks, and there will be moments when you feel that the academic curriculum's speed is too much for you. Learn to always view this as a temporary phase that everyone goes through. Getting stressed about a situation can never help! What it can do is harm your health, which would further hurt your studies. To avoid this, an international student must always try to remain healthy. Exercising, meditation, adequate rest, and eating healthy are some ways in which one can get over stressful situations. Since man is a social animal, international students must get over hesitations and start making friends. In case the stress leads to prolonged anxiety and change in sleeping patterns, one must always seek help from professionals on campus.

4. Alcohol and Drugs  International students must not succumb to peer pressure to integrate with others. These intoxicants have long-lasting effects upon the physical and mental well-being of an international student, but they also get such a student into trouble with the authorities. Most universities and colleges have strict protocols against the use and possession of alcohol and drugs. In case of violation of such rules, severe punishments are handed out like suspension, rustication, and even prison and deportation in some extreme cases. It is better than to adopt the habit of saying no to such intoxicants.

We hope that you enjoyed our blog. If you any questions regarding studies abroad, then feel free to get in touch with your nearest Canam office.