“Something that was really hard for me is the fact that I didn't have any friends here,” said Carlos Lugo, a graduate music student, when discussing the challenges he faced when he came to Andrews University from Venezuela in 2021. Besides, he also faced a change of religious beliefs, converting to Adventism while studying at AU, and a radical weather pattern he had never seen before. “Never saw snow in my life until I came here,” he said, “And it's not just a little bit; it's a lot.”
If there is one thing Andrews University is proud of is its diversity. Both students and administrators agree that having a diverse campus provides a huge boost to the overall Andrews experience. Rankings from U.S. News and World Report and Niche recognize the university as one of the most diverse institutions in the country. Most of this diversity is due to students from different parts of the world attending this top Adventist institution. Yet, what is the price that international students have to pay for coming to Andrews University?
Tuition aside, perhaps the highest price they pay is leaving their identity and culture behind and confronting a new place filled with different manners and systems. Hence, most students face what is known as culture shock.
Silmara Ferreira, the director of International Student Services at Andrews, is familiar with these and other issues that international students typically face when studying at AU. Regarding cultural adjustment, she said that “students often navigate differences in communication styles, classroom expectations, social norms, food, and climate.” Outside the campus, students also face shock regarding how American systems work, such as at banks, with taxes or how rules are enforced.
With Andrews located in Berrien Springs, Michigan, one of the biggest surprises for most international students is the weather, particularly in winter. Jonathan Lumbu, a Congolese junior architecture student, said that he never imagined he would live in a place “where it's below negative,” referring to its value in Celsius.
For Lugo, transportation was also a challenge, as he did not own a car when he first arrived. Berrien Springs lacks regular public transportation except for the Berrien Bus, an on-demand bus service that might not be affordable for some, as one-way rides start at six dollars. These limitations made it difficult for Lugo to move around during the cold weather season. It was also surprising for him to see the amount of daylight during that time of the year, expressing that “if there is sunset sunlight during the day, it goes away really quickly—like, by 5 p.m., it's already gone, you know?”
For others, language fluency can determine how they interact with the world around them. A study by Columbia University and Fordham University found that one determinant of whether international students experience cultural distress is their language fluency. They concluded that
“one [with higher fluency] may be able to interact with more ease with people in this new cultural setting.” With that in mind, some students may be able to find larger groups of people who speak their language. Others, however, may struggle to interact with others if there are no students who share their culture and if they lack sufficient fluency to communicate effectively with locals and other international students.
Social circles can be challenging to find at first. Even if a student comes here with family, the other family members might also have a hard time. Jahaziel Gutiérrez, another graduate music student at Andrews, came from Mexico with his wife and two daughters in 2023; they’ve since had another daughter. The move took them a long time to prepare for, Gutiérrez said. It was not only about pursuing his dreams, but thinking about how it would affect his family, he added. Not only did their home change, but also their routines and their familiar dynamics.
While Gutiérrez was able to connect with fellow classmates and professors, his then 6-year-old daughter had a hard time during their first year in Berrien Springs. She could not speak fluent English and could not communicate with other kids, which affected her personality. “It was as if someone took away our daughter and put her in a bubble,” Gutiérrez said as he explained that his daughter was usually extroverted. “Once she was able to break that bubble, we felt like she was brought back to us.”
International students go through many changes in their lives when they pursue their dreams at Andrews University. Yet there are ways in which they can better mitigate the effects. Consider, thus, the following section as a guide for coping with some of those issues. It is not a comprehensive list, but it may be helpful enough to get one started with addressing the challenges that come with studying abroad, whether as a local willing to help or as an international student needing assistance to adjust to a new lifestyle.
First, it is important to find connections around campus. It can be intimidating to speak with others, especially if one is not confident about one’s language fluency. Yet even a brief conversation can foster relationships that will support the journey of studying in a different country. Gutiérrez recommends that prospective students get in touch with people before coming to study, so they can have a supportive system in place once they arrive on campus. Lugo also shared how easy the process of adapting became when he got to meet someone of great support, someone “ who helped me to get used to… the American culture.”
Similarly, getting acquainted with people who share the same or similar cultures can help ease the feelings of isolation and homesickness (or longing for home). Lumbu was fortunate to have some family and friends who took him to African restaurants and activities. “Having people that know you well and can get you some feel-like-home things, made it easier for me to cope with it,” he said. Ferreira also remarked that the ISS office supports events to help students feel at home, such as the International Food Fair.
Finally, Gutiérrez emphasizes the importance of staying in constant connection with God. After all, one may believe the Lord has led one to Andrews University for a reason, so it is best to rely on Him for whatever one may need. “When you are studying [here], you realize there are many things to worry about,” Gutiérrez commented. “But if you sit, calm down, and remember that God is there taking care of you, I believe it will give you peace.”
“I love my nationality, but I am also open to the world, [to] diversity, and open to let American culture shape my identity,” Lugo admitted when reflecting on the process he went through as he kept studying at Andrews. Confronting and adapting to a new culture is a move that only brave people can undertake, so international students deserve more credit for what they sacrifice to bring new insights and ideas to our campus. While the ISS helps international students connect with resources to support them through the adaptation process, other Andrews members—particularly local students, faculty and staff—can also contribute their personal efforts to help international students connect with their new community.
And if you are an international student, remember that your identity may change or evolve, but God’s identity remains the same. You can trust that He will be with you throughout your Andrews journey, no matter what happens. Following His will can come at a high price, but be assured that it will surely pay off for you and those around you.
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Informative Blurb: How ISS Supports Students During The Adaptation Process
- Comprehensive International Student Orientation that introduces campus resources, immigration regulations, and cultural adjustment strategies.
- Ongoing immigration advising throughout the year, including support with enrollment requirements, travel signatures, CPT/OPT, reinstatements, and general questions.
- Cultural and community-building events that help students feel at home, stay connected, and build friendships. Like food fairs, holiday breakfasts, International flag parades, etc.
- One-on-one support and referrals to campus partners such as Counseling & Testing, academic advisors, residence hall deans, and other key services.
- Practical living guidance on transportation, campus employment, health insurance, banking, and other essential needs, like winter gear donation, bedsheets and comforter donation, etc.
- Regular communication and outreach that keeps students informed about immigration matters, important dates, and special activities hosted by ISS.
We remain committed to supporting each international student in their academic, personal, and cultural journey here at Andrews.
— Silmara Ferreira, International Student Services director
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.