international student opinions

We know that international students may have trouble completely settling in and feeling comfortable like they would at home. They often feel anxious to move into a dorm in a completely different country with completely different people. 
Studying abroad far from home is a life-changing experience. Along with the benefits of studying in the U.S., international students may develop a phenomenon known as “culture shock.” 
Culture shock is a term used to describe the psychological and emotional discomfort experienced when individuals are exposed to a markedly different culture. International students coming to the U.S. face many differences in language, customs and social norms. 
Whether 4,000 miles from home in Siberia, Russia or 7,300 miles away from home in China, international NCS students have the ability to call Roanoke their new home.
Native to North America, Carter Smith ‘25 from Vancouver, Canada, said, “I'd say it took me about two weeks to get used to NCS; just making friends and finding my group of people. For me, personally, NCS has been very welcoming. Everyone has been nice to me, asking me questions about where I'm from and everything when I came. Especially Mrs. Wenk, who has really been uplifting and encouraging of school spirit.” 

“I maybe became comfortable in a month and a half,” said Nicolas Cobas Gomez ‘26. “I began to speak to more English students and got better at English,” when asked about his settlement in the U.S. “I’d say a culture shock was not a huge problem because I had other Spanish students with me to talk.” 

For some, branching out meeting new people isn’t a struggle. For Smith, it was simple to make new friends at a new school. The friendly environment at NCS was a contributing factor, as students and teachers were curious and excited to meet him. 

Adapting to a different culture may be a struggle for most students. Milica Andjelkovic ‘26 from Mladenovac, Serbia said, “It sure is a different lifestyle. It took time to adapt to weather, people, food and the way to approach people.” Andjelkovic said “I didn't think it was too difficult moving here.”  

“When I came from Serbia,” Andjelkovic said, “I’d say a culture shock was how people wear pajamas everywhere. How popcorn and drinks from places like the cinema are so oversized, too. I also noticed how cold it was indoors, because Americans have ACs everywhere.” 

Aleksa Ziavnov ‘27, also from Serbia said, “a culture shock was speaking English all of the time and the food here, of course,” he said, “Meeting my friends and the faculty helped me get comfortable.”
Arriving almost halfway through the school year, Tinaishe “Tina” Chikwata ‘26 from Zimbabwe, Africa said, “Shona was my first language and English was my second. I knew English already.” “No, really I wasn't uncomfortable,” Chikwata said. 

Culture shock depends on the person and where they come from. It can be facilitated to overcome. Studying abroad is always facilitated by the student body and teachers at NCS. Differences in cultures here are noticed, spread and definitely appreciated.