3. Problems of a foreign student
Given the large number of foreign students applying for colleges and universities in the U.S., support for foreign students has become a necessity. Most of these students must deal with adjustment problems. The increased interest for this matter has determined writer Christine F. Meloni to prepare the article entitled "Adjustment Problems for Foreign Students in U.S. Colleges and Universities" for ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics (Meloni, 1986).
The article starts with a short introduction that consists in a brief description of the context in which the analysis presented in the article takes place. The article gets right to the point, by providing the results of certain studies that focused on determining the reasons for which foreign students face adjustment problems.
The author further lists these findings. The results of these studies include homesickness as the most important personal problem affecting foreign students, finances, housing, food, English language proficiency, understanding lectures, participation in class discussions, preparing all types of reports, making friends and other social problems that foreign students deal with.
The article further focuses on discussing that affect the adjustment of foreign students. These variables are identified as nationality, homesickness, concern for grades, academic issues, culture and language barriers, sex differences, marital status, and others.
Some of the foreign students participating in the survey experience only one of the listed problems, while others may experience several problems. From the article one may draw the conclusion that the degree of adjustment of foreign students is directly proportional with the cultural differences between the student in case and the U.S. culture.
Students that come from geographical areas that are very distant to the U.S., that come from a different religion that is not embraced by most Americans, students who were raised in a very different culture and lifestyle find it very difficult to adapt, or to even get along in the American system.
Some of them do not seem to experience such severe situations, but such cases are not numerous. The article presents certain interesting findings. For example, married foreign students seem to manage all situations and aspects of their lives easier. They perform better than the others in any aspect.
However, it does not mean that foreign students who experience such difficulties will not be able to get help, or to improve their situation. The author includes...
The solutions identified for these problems and presented in the article include language instruction, orientation programs, counseling, host family, study-buddy program.
Each solution is detailed in order to provide a more clear and complex image, and in order to help readers that may find themselves in such situations and require some sort of advice. One of the most important problems for foreign students is represented by language and cultural barriers.
Without proper knowledge of English, it is not possible for foreign students to adjust to the educational system in the U.S. For students who have been admitted to educational programs without having strong knowledge of English, the institution in case should provide instruction.
Orientation programs are very useful for foreign students. By participating in such programs, students can request the exact kind of help they need, and they can be helped by professional personnel, specialized in the domain in case.
Counseling is very important for all students, and especially for foreign ones. The kind of problems foreign students must face can be reduced with the help of professional counselors.
The article takes an objective approach to the subject, it presents plenty of concise, useful information. It addresses foreign students that represent the object of this issue, but it also concerns other categories of readers that deal with foreign students or are interested in the subject.
The article manages to clearly identify the aspects that must be discussed and to provide solutions for the readers interested in the subject.
Reference list:
1. Anotai, U. (2009). Common Ways Students Cheat on Exams. TOPICS Online Magazine. Retrieved January 19, 2010 from http://www.topics-mag.com/edition13/cheating-anotai.htm.
2. D'Felice, C. (2007). How to be happy: A formula for happiness? The Independent. Retrieved January 19, 2010 from http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/healthy-living/how-to-be-happy-a-formula-for-happiness-457769.html.
3. Meloni, C. (1986). Adjustment Problems for Foreign Students in U.S. Colleges and Universities. ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics. Retrieved January 19, 2010 from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/2f/8c/20.pdf.
