What every international student should know?
Andrew Ramirez
Published Apr 06, 2026
15 Things Every International Student Should Know
- Finding and applying to the right school.
- Understanding the importance of critical thinking and the value of liberal education.
- Taking full advantage of the broad range of available resources.
- Becoming immersed in a wide variety of campus activities beyond academics.
Do I need to know Chinese to study in China?
You don’t need to be fluent in Chinese to study in China! Universities in China offer thousands of high-quality English-taught programs for international students. You can also study for one semester, one year, or take a master’s or PhD program.
Is China a good place for international students?
A new report published this week by Student.com spotlights China as a fast-growing destination for international education. The report notes that last year a record-breaking 398,000 international students flocked to study in China, making it the world’s third most popular destination (behind the US and UK).
How do you advise international students?
These tips can help international students heading to the US to make sure they get the most out of their university experience
- Know the rules of “the game”
- Look up your student support resources before you go.
- Learn to network and take notes.
- You do not need to know everything and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
What can you do to help international students?
Here are a few to consider.
- Develop student-centered best practices to serve international students during the pandemic.
- Advocate for new processes for student visas.
- Convene an online global government summit on higher education.
- Increase financial aid for international students.
- Create new models of higher education.
Can international students go back to China?
Although there’s no certainty when international students can come back, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced at the end of September that foreigners who have a valid residence permit under these three following purposes, work, personal affairs, and family reunion, can enter China again.
Can international students return to China?
Officials say China has to permit the return of the foreign students either by September this year or by April next year at the start of the new academic year. But the online classes had little impact on over 23,000 Indian medical students as they needed to back up their studies with laboratory facilities.
How can international students succeed in USA?
6 Tips for International Students in the USA
- Use Official Campus Resources. Your school most likely has an office of international students.
- Use Student Organizations/Clubs.
- Use Community Resources.
- Look for Small Ways to Feel at Home.
- Work Out a Communication Plan.
- Find Balance in Your Activities.
What challenges do international students face?
5 Most Common Challenges Faced by International Students
- Cultural Shock. The excitement of getting into an international university fades as soon as you land on a foreign land.
- Language Barrier.
- Difficulty Understanding the Lectures.
- Academic Writing.
- Finances.
Where do international students come from?
Destinations of foreign students
Rank Destination country Top sending countries 1 United States China, India, South Korea 2 United Kingdom China, United States, India 3 China South Korea, Thailand, Pakistan 4 Canada India, China, France Do all Chinese know English?
Despite English being taught in the Chinese school system for many years, few Chinese could be considered fluent in English. There are hundreds of millions of people in China studying English, but less than 1% of Mainland Chinese are conversational, according to some estimates.
How do I know if I am an international student?
Any student who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States is considered an international student. International students usually need an F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the United States. 2.
What international students are looking for?
They’re looking for the same qualities in international students as they’re seeking in American students: good study habits, a history of good grades, decent test scores on admission tests, and an overall ability to succeed in college.
What should an international student bring?
Items to Bring With You
- Your passport.
- I-20 (student visa)
- Admission letter.
- Flight information.
- Academic documents (diploma, letter of recommendation, school transcripts)
- Driver’s license.
- Health insurance documents.
- Medical records.
How can international students survive in USA?
Here is a survival guide for what to accomplish in your first week in the United States as an international student.
- Choose a US-based cell phone plan.
- Fight your desire to sleep during daylight.
- Open a bank account and set up a credit card.
- Review your health insurance options and sign up.
What is an F 1 student?
The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program.
Is it hard to get a job as an international student?
Job hunting is always hard, but for international students, the process is even more difficult and frustrating. Oftentimes, employers are hesitant to hire international students. Hiring international students can be costly and time-consuming. Fear of new hires leaving after six months or a year.
Will there be international students in 2021?
The Australia budget has hinted that international students could return later this year. Small phased programmes for international students are expected to commence in late 2021 and gradually increase from 2022, according to Australia’s 2021-22 budget.
What should I know about being an international student?
At some universities, international students are put in less-than-ideal housing seeing as they usually don’t know as much about housing and what the campus offers. In some cases, they get stuck with the remaining housing spots in unpopular locations. Remember that you can almost always request a transfer!
What do I need to study in Canada as an international student?
If you plan to come to Canada as an international student after October 20, 2020: Your DLI must be on the list of DLIs with approved COVID-19 readiness plans before you travel to Canada. You must have a valid study permit, or have been approved for a study permit.
What should I know about studying in the USA?
With tips on planning, a comprehensive international scholarship database, an award-winning international financial aid blog, and custom-built international student loan application, we can help you manage your finances effectively while studying in the USA. Learn More
Do you have to live on campus as an international student?
As an international student, you’ll also want to live on campus for your first few semesters, specifically if you don’t know many people or have a car for getting around. Living in an off campus apartment will isolate you from campus social life and make it difficult to meet people. 3. Always carry your (real) ID
