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International Student Challenges

Transitions always present challenges that can be both exciting and difficult. This is especially true for international students new not only to USF but also to the United States. At the Counseling Center, we have proven experience providing assistance to address the challenges facing  international students.   Some international students have a clear idea of what their concerns are before seeking help; many others simply feel that some things are not going as well as they had hoped. Either way, we are here to help.

Although counseling is not a common practice in many countries and cultures, in the United States it is increasingly used as a process that is helpful for dealing with personal stress and difficulties. We are committed to providing a safe place to talk about these concerns and to helping you achieve balance in this journey.

We offer a variety of services and programs to assist you with academic, career, and personal needs.

Some common concerns for which you may seek counseling include:

• Feeling invisible or isolated
• Navigating language
• Cultural barriers
• Culture shock
• Returning home and reverse culture shock
• Acculturation
• Adjusting to the educational system at USF
• Academic pressures
• Religious practices
• Financial pressures
• Sexual identity concerns
• Food customs
• Dealing with anxiety, stress, roommates, and school
• Dealing with depression
• Dealing with the expectations of the university as compared to family or cultural expectations
• Maintaining family and other relationships

If you identify with these or any other concerns, we encourage you to contact us to make an appointment.