Key Takeaways

  • Being far from home can cause international students to experience homesickness 
  • Advisors can help students successfully adjust to campus life in the U.S. 
  • Check in with students frequently and remind them of available resources for care 

Arriving on campus as an international student can be both exciting and a little scary. Once the newness wears off and the reality of being far from home sets in, students may begin to experience culture shock and homesickness.

Homesickness is a normal and valid part of the international student experience. It can, however, intensify everyday challenges, such as language barriers, seasonal changes, academic pressure, cultural differences, and relationships. Students managing these challenges for the first time on their own are more likely to be overwhelmed by them, creating emotional fatigue, frustration, and sadness.

As an advisor, it is important to remind students early and often that these feelings are not a sign of weakness. Rather, they are a common and expected part of global mobility and can be overcome with the help of a patient, reliable support system and valuable resources. Here are a few tips for how you can help stop homesickness from affecting the lives of international students and scholars. 

Help students understand care options and insurance

Early on in your interactions, share all health and wellbeing resources offered by the school and help them understand their health insurance, including mental health resources. To support student success, LewerMark can provide a benefits orientation session that educates students about their health plan, mental health resources, and how to effectively access and use their benefits. 

School administrators and staff can help students and scholars by reminding them of the following: 

  • Teladoc offers 24/7 medical and mental health care from anywhere 
  • Togetherall provides a safe, anonymous peer community whenever support is needed 
  • LewerMark uses the Aetna network—share the link to find an in-network provider in the event the student needs more specialized care 

Also, be sure to reiterate to students that they should download and save their health insurance ID card, so they can show it to receive care.

Ensure resources are easy to understand 

Students are more likely to use their healthcare benefits when resources are clear, easy to understand, and readily available, helping reduce obstacles to care. 

Lack of clarity surrounding health insurance benefits or school health services can cause students to delay seeking care for physical symptoms, mental health concerns, or emotional support related to homesickness.  

Keep resources short and direct. Use accurate visuals. Be mindful of the fact that for many international students, English is not their first language. Avoid slang, jargon, and conjunctions whenever possible. And always take the time to talk through questions. 

Clear communication can ease frustration and reinforce a sense of safety and belonging, building trust and soothing feelings of homesickness. 

Intervene early; check in regularly

As an advisor, you are often one of the first relationships an international student will form, and arguably the most important. You have created a safe space for them to be themselves, ask questions, and get guidance without the fear of judgement or misunderstanding. 

As such, you are often the first to notice when students begin to struggle.  

Schedule regular check-ins to keep a pulse on how they are doing. Students who feel supported are more likely to remain engaged, seek help when needed, and succeed academically and socially.  

Connect them with community 

When a student is in the throes of homesickness, the depression and anxiety that comes along with it can cause them to isolate themselves. This can make them feel even worse. Encouraging them to explore school activities and clubs can help them connect with campus life, make friends, and enjoy a sense of community. 

Apps like Campus Community can make it easy for you to share important resources and timely information about upcoming events and social opportunities with international students. They can also use the app to connect with other students and mentors, so they never feel alone. 

If you do not already offer the Campus Community app for your students and are interested in adding this helpful tool, contact a member of the LewerMark advisory team. 

We’re here for your students, and we’re here for you, too 

As advisors, the connection you make with your students is invaluable to them.  

From benefits enrollment and orientation sessions to claims support, the LewerMark team is here to lighten your administrative workload, giving you more time to be a trusted resource for your students as they navigate this season of life. 

Chat live with us at lewermark.com, call us at (800) 821-7710, or email us at [email protected]. We are here when you and your students need us.