ShareBy Ali Hamza
KUWAIT: Many students in Kuwait plan to pursue higher education abroad, away from their friends and family. According to UNESCO, Kuwait has 24,390 students studying abroad. As they venture overseas for their tertiary education, they find themselves in a completely different environment and often struggle to adapt to their new surroundings and interact with people from diverse cultures. Many students who currently study in foreign universities suggest that socializing and engaging in friendly conversations with new people are crucial for building social connections.
Failure to do so can lead to feelings of isolation, although it may seem overwhelming and challenging initially. However, with time, students can acclimatize to their new environment. This skill is also paramount for networking, a skill of great importance. Learning how to communicate with peers and strangers in an appealing and professional manner can greatly benefit students in securing positions at their universities or in jobs outside of academia. Politeness, respect, and kindness are key to breaking the ice and making new friends.
These qualities also serve as a remedy for homesickness, as others are often willing to reciprocate these gestures, making students feel at ease and helping them adapt to their new society. The curriculum in Canada, where I studied, differed significantly from that in Kuwait. In Kuwait, students were assigned specific courses and were provided with a structured framework for their studies. However, in Canadian universities, students have much more autonomy. They are responsible for selecting their courses and determining how much effort they want to invest in each area of study to excel in those courses.
Seeking help and guidance is also entirely up to the students, as no one will proactively reach out to them. Additionally, attendance is typically not mandatory, but it's essential to understand that this doesn't mean students must study entirely on their own. Rather, it means that students must take the initiative to study diligently, attend classes, seek assistance and clarify any doubts they may have. “Before arriving in Canada, I made the mistake of not conducting enough research on the differences between the Kuwaiti and Canadian educational systems.
The substantial freedom in choosing what to study left me confused about how to plan my first semester effectively. I had no clear strategy for tackling my coursework, making the transition challenging. Therefore, I advise any student planning to study in a foreign country to conduct thorough research to gain an understanding of the curriculum they will encounter and to develop a plan or schedule in advance,” said Ra’ed Tariq, a student studying at the University of Alberta in Canada. "The main challenge I faced was adapting to the new environment and workload.
My advice is to make friends from different cultures, attend university-organized events, and prioritize time management. Having a schedule helped me complete my work and allocate time for the activities I enjoy," said Fares Al-Shamri, a student studying at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. Mirhan Tariq, a graduate of NYU in the United States, highlighted the challenges of adapting to a different curriculum and academic structure.
She advised international students to thoroughly understand their class expectations before or during orientation week and encouraged them not to hesitate in seeking clarification from their professors, even for seemingly simple questions. Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Building social connections, effective communication and adapting to different educational systems are crucial aspects of a successful international education journey. Doing proper research and planning can help students navigate these challenges and make the most of their academic experience abroad.
