Maintaining Balance
Cultural Adjustment
Studying abroad can bring a lot of challenges, one of which is adjusting to a completely new environment and learning in an educational system that is unlike one that you are used to. Culture shock is a part of being in the US and it is important that you know what to expect and are prepared to recognize and deal with symptoms that are related.
Signs of culture shock
- Isolation/frustration
- Anxiety
- Sleeping too much or not sleeping at all
- Excessive homesickness: it is normal to miss home, but if it is all you can think about then you might have culture shock
- Resentment towards your new environment due to discomfort
- Dependence on other students from your country. Having a support circle is important, however if your time is spent exclusively with students from your home country, you might be experiencing culture shock.
- Overwhelming and stressful job
- Reluctance to speak English
Coping with culture shock:
- Keep your perspective
- Keep an open mind and accept parts of the new culture
- Share your feelings. You are not alone.
- Stay positive!
- Talk with your International Student Counselor
- Communicate
- Make new friends that can help you through college
Take care of yourself:
Like all rewarding experiences, studying away from home sometimes difficult. Staying healthy and dealing with your stress will help to make your time abroad more fun. Use these tips to make your days easier:
- Relax with a hobby.
- Keeping a journal will help keep things organized.
- Talk often with your employer if you have a job.
- Talk with other students. You can support and encourage each other.
- Get plenty of sleep, lack of sleep can cause frustration and sickness
- Stay healthy – can reduce homesickness
- Take vitamins
- Plan trips to explore the US
Health
The college campus has a number of resources available for all students to use that is centered around their mental and physical health.
Navigating the US healthcare system can be quite difficult and it takes quite some time for students to get used to. There is a larger section about health insurance within the legal and money section of the international student website that you can refer to.
Wellness Center:
It is a student led organization that is run for students with an extraordinary amount of resources available to students as well as a great number of information about staying fit and well on campus. It includes information on the use of alcohol, mental wellness, a video library to summer wellness and what bugs to watch out for in Minnesota as well as many other resources. It is definitely worth looking into especially when you’re feeling stressed.
Mental Health
- You can make an appointment with a counselor so that you can talk through your troubles with a professional.
- The counseling center web page has a list of resources for students :
link - It is highly recommended that you explore the website to find out what works best for you
Additionally, the wellness center has a separate page for mental wellness. It is definitely worth looking into:
link
Physical Health 
The college has a number of initiatives to help keep you physically healthy including club sports, recreational activities such as intramural sports and a gym facility that can be used by the students.
To check out the main website for the recreation office, please go here
- Intramural sports are a great way to get to know a group of people and develop friendships with them as it is not very competitive but it brings people together with a common goal.
- Joining a club sport can help you stay fit and develop your skills in an activity that you could continue to do after college. Check out what sports are available, or you can start your own club if you already have something that you are passionate about.
- You can see what kinds of indoor facilities there are here.
- There is an indoor climbing wall that students can use.
- St. Olaf offers equipment and guidance for outdoor recreation such as camping and winter sports. Check out the full list on the STORP page.
- The wellness center offers tips and guidance on how to stay healthy in Minnesota. The longer and colder winters do have an impact on your well being, therefore it is key that students understand the ways in which they can combat the effects.
Programs and Initiatives
The Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion is a hub for international students. There is a lounge where students can get together for fun as well as to hold meetings. The center holds events and provides resources for students centered around your experience at St. Olaf. You can always stop by to grab a cup of tea or coffee if you don’t have too much time.
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- Cultural celebrations are a key part of an international students experience. They are often centered around a performance where students can showcase their talents and parts of their culture, often in a variety show style.
- Programs are organized by the Taylor Center to help students integrate and navigate better at college.
- Multicultural Ole First Year Program is a orientation program geared for POC and Indigenous students which pairs up students with an upperclassman to help freshmen navigate college.
- International Friendship Program pairs a student up with a local family.
- International Honor House is made up of a few international students and holds events for the campus community.
- Coffee Hour is a space where students can discuss current issues that impact the lives of Oles.
- Cultural Conversations is a discourse that is facilitated by a faculty member that allows for discussions on a specific topic.
- International Senior Ceremony is a graduation event for senior international students.
- Taylor Center student Services is a site where the Taylor center spaces can be reserved.
- Resources includes many useful links to resources that are aimed at International Students.