Interviews

Topic: To understand the challenge of International students live and studying abroad.

*Introduce:

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to participate in today's interview. My name is weijia, and I am working on my project 1. I am conducting research to understand the experiences and challenges faced by international students studying abroad. Your insights will help us design better products or services to support future international students.

Before we begin, I'd like to go over a few things:

1. This interview is expected to take about [duration, e.g. , 45 minutes]. Please feel

comfortable and relaxed. If you need a break or wish to end the interview early at any point, just let me know.

2.  We highly value your privacy and confidentiality. Everything you share will be used solely

for research purposes and will not be shared with third parties. Your personal identity will remain confidential.

3.  We will be recording this interview for later analysis. If you have any concerns or feel

uncomfortable with this, please inform me, and we can stop the recording at any time. 4. There are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in hearing about your real

experiences and thoughts, so please share as openly and naturally as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know. Before we start, do you have any questions?If not, let's get started. I'll ask the questions through time line, such as before you departure, after you arrive.

Kick off:

Let's start from the stage before you departure.

Before departure Phase:

What your motivation and experiences in deciding to study abroad?

How did you choose your destination country and institution?

What resources did you use to make your decision (websites, forums, advisors)? Was there any specific information you found hard to find?

How did you gather information about the visa process, accommodation, and local culture?

What tools or services did you find most helpful during the preparation phase?

Arrival and Adaptation Phase Culture;/ life

What was your first impression upon arriving in the new country?

How did you manage your first few days/weeks in terms of accommodation, transportation, and daily essentials?

What were the most unexpected challenges you faced upon arrival?

Do you experience any culture shock?

Did you face any language barriers? If so, how did you overcome them?

What kind of support systems (if any) did you have access to (student groups, local

communities)

Academic

How did you find the academic environment and teaching methods compared to your home country?

Have you experienced any academic challenges or differences that were hard to adapt to?

Social Integration

How have you made friends and built a social network in the new country? What activities or groups have helped you feel more integrated?

Social Integration

How have you made friends and built a social network in the new country? What activities or groups have helped you feel more integrated?

Have you faced any social challenges, and how did you address them?

Money

Did you encounter any difficulties with banking, currency exchange, or financial transactions?

Health

What healthcare services have you used, and how was your experience?

How do you manage your physical and mental well-being while studying abroad?

Overall experience

What has been the most rewarding aspect of studying abroad?

What has been the most challenging aspect of your experience?

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience that we haven't covered?

Interview Record 

（Pseudonyms have been used to protect privacy）

Interview 1

**Date:** 7/2/2024

**Time:** 7:00 PM

**Interviewer:** BO, China, 24 years old, studied in the US for 6 years

Introduction and Motivation:

- BO studied in the US starting in 2018 for an undergraduate degree, influenced by his parents

who wanted him to see the world and avoid intense competition in China.

**Preparation and Departure:**

- Preparation for studying abroad was smooth due to comprehensive support from his

international high school.

- Learning English was tough, and transitioning to university-level academics was challenging.

**Academic and Cultural Differences:**

- Academically, materials were familiar due to the use of American textbooks in his international

high school.

- Cultural shocks included traffic systems and everyday interactions.

- The flexibility of the US education system contrasted with the mandatory attendance in China.

**Challenges:**

- Financial management was a significant challenge due to currency differences and the lack of

parental oversight.

- Cultural adaptation was difficult, especially with food and transportation issues.

- The initial living conditions in dorms were crowded, and finding new accommodation was

tough without a car.

**Support Systems and Resources:**

- The Chinese student association at his school provided crucial support with transportation and

accommodation.

- Apps like Google Maps and Yelp, as well as recommendations from friends, were useful for

daily life.

**Social Integration and Advice:**

- Initially hid problems from parents to avoid worrying them.

- Advised newcomers to strengthen self-discipline, avoid bad influences, be aware of legal

norms, and get a driver's license for better mobility.

#### Interview 2

**Date:** 7/7/2024

**Time:** 2:15 PM

**Interviewer:** Maria Gonzalez, Mexico, 21 years old, 2nd year in Canada

**Introduction and Challenges:**

- Studying at the University of Toronto has been challenging but rewarding.

- Language barriers were significant, with academic jargon and idiomatic expressions posing

difficulties.

**Cultural Adaptation:**

- Adapting to Canadian social norms, such as small talk and reserved interactions, was

challenging and led to feelings of isolation.

**Homesickness and Coping:**

- Frequent homesickness, especially during holidays, coped with through video calls and joining

cultural clubs.

**Academic Pressure:**

- Managing rigorous coursework was stressful, balanced through time management and

engaging in stress-relieving activities.

**Financial and Visa Issues:**

- Financial strain from high living costs and tuition, balanced by working part-time.

- Visa and immigration regulations added stress.

**Health and Well-being:**

- Adapting to the cold climate and maintaining health was challenging but managed through

good habits and university health services.

**Integration and Support:**

- Joining cultural clubs and university events helped in social integration.

- Emphasized the importance of support systems for international students.

#### Interview 3

**Date:** 7/8/2024

**Time:** 3:20 PM

**Interviewer:** Maleina, studying German and French

**Introduction and Background:**

- Maleina is from the US, studied computer science, and studied abroad in Germany and

Quebec.

- Experiences included studying German in Germany and French in Quebec.

**Language and Cultural Challenges:**

- Using a second language was challenging, particularly with speaking skills.

- Cultural differences included habits like shaking hands and cheek kissing, which were

unfamiliar.

**Academic Environment:**

- Academic styles differed, with German education being stricter and more direct.

**Support and Integration:**

- Language schools provided essential support, but international student organizations were

limited.

- Over time, language skills improved, making social integration easier.

**Financial and Health Issues:**

- Financial management was relatively easy due to the US dollar.

- Health insurance was managed with help from her husband in Quebec and dormitory support

in Germany.

**Rewards and Challenges:**

- Immersing in another culture and understanding jokes in a new language were rewarding

experiences.

- The initial phase was the most challenging due to language barriers and unfamiliar customs.

**Suggestions and Advice:**

- A detailed information resource about what to expect and potential problems would be helpful.

- Speaking with someone who had the same experience could provide valuable insights.

**Loneliness and Family Contact:**

- Loneliness was a significant issue at the beginning, compounded by time zone differences.

- Communication with family was challenging due to time zones and the need to buy a cell

phone without a local ID card.

**Final Thoughts:**

- Encouraged to stay persistent and seek help from those with similar experiences.

- Willing to assist with interviews and provided advice on handling language and cultural

Challenges.

#### Interview 4

**Date:** 7/10/2024

**Time:** 8:20 aM

**Interviewer:** Emma, 20yrs, UK people studying in US

**Introduction and Background:**

- Emma is from the UK, studied Psychology in US

- Provided insightful details about the native English speaker as an international student in the

US.

**Language and Cultural Challenges:**

- Despite being a native English speaker, Emma had to adjust to American slang,

colloquialisms, and different academic terminology.

- Emma experienced culture shock due to the direct communication style of Americans and the

fast-paced environment.

**Academic Environment:**

-The academic system in the U.S. was different, with a greater emphasis on class participation

and continuous assessment.

-Emma had to adapt her study habits and time management skills to keep up with the workload.

**Support and Integration:**

- She overcame homesickness by actively making connections, joining clubs, and staying in

regular contact with her family and friends back home.

- Over time, language skills improved, making social integration easier.

**Financial and Health Issues:**

- The high cost of living in California was a challenge. Emma took on a part-time job and

practiced careful budgeting to manage her expenses.

**Rewards and Challenges:**

-Had a road trip to Yosemite National Park with some friends her made here.

-Had the chance to work on some exciting research projects.

-The cultural nuances and social norms are different.

-Academically, the teaching methods and expectations were different.

**Suggestions and Advice:**

- stay open-minded and patient.

- Embrace the new experiences and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

-Get involved in local activities and clubs to meet people and make the most of your time

abroad.

-And most importantly, give yourself time to adapt and find your footing.

**Loneliness and Family Contact:**

- Homesickness was tough, especially during the first few months.

-She dealt with it by staying busy with my studies and hobbies, and joined a hiking club and a

volunteering group, which helped her make new friends and feel more connected.

- Regular video calls with family and friends also helped a lot.

**Final Thoughts:**

- Learned to navigate and appreciate cultural differences, which will be invaluable in her future

career.

- Overall, feel more confident and independent, ready to take on new challeng