Transitions: Being a Student in a Foreign Land

Student life is both rewarding and exciting while simultaneously challenging and stressful. 

Along with academic success and social fulfillment comes the pressure to succeed in an unfamiliar environment, the loneliness of academic life, the challenges of new friendships, the pressures of school  exams, and financial stresses. 

And what if you are new to Canada? One may also be faced with the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, new country,  new climate, new language, and homesickness. These are just some of the everyday concerns new immigrants and those who are on student visas may face. 

This can be summed up as “acculturation” – a.k.a “culture shock.”

Culture shock can be very stressful, impacting one’s mental health. Some signs of this could be:

• Lacking energy or motivation

• Trouble sleeping

• Sleeping more than usual

• Lack of hunger

• Eating more than normal

• Unusual mood swings

• Excessive use of alcohol or drugs

It is important to seek the help of your school to resolve such issues through counselling, peer support and mental health workshops.

You may feel all alone. Nonetheless, it’s important to reach out for help; you’ll find helpful people you can connect with and they can guide you.

Counselling is a safe and confidential way to find help, build strategies to foster social connections, strengthen language skills, help build strong support systems around you, improve one’s coping skills and maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle of study and leisure.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to LiveHappyTherapy if you’re struggling in any of these areas.