What to consider when applying as an International Student!
As international students, it is common knowledge that we undergo a layer of stress that domestic students do not necessarily experience. Not only we have to be accepted into college – which by itself can seem like a farfetch! – we also need to take care of the whole moving-to-another-country aspect of it. Because I know this is not the easiest of the journeys when you are applying to US colleges, here is a list of things that – in my own experience – I learnt to deal with. Hopefully, this will be helpful for you when you get into your dream school!
- No. 1
Visa, consulates, interviews, documents…
Personally, dealing with visa applications is one of the things I like the least in the world. Don't you sometimes just wish you could go places, travel around, without worrying about whether you will be granted entry to a country?
Because I applied for my student visa during the pandemic, it was hard to schedule an appointment at any of the still-open consulates. Luckily, I was living in Canada at the time and managed to get my visa at the Vancouver consulate. The process can look complicated, but the feeling of walking away from that interview room having your application approved is one of the most rewarding experiences
- No. 2
Language barrier
If the place you call home is not an English-speaking country, it is important to consider how you will interact with others and with the environment. I always find myself glitching to remember how to say certain words or worrying about how much my sense humour is lost in translation. Nonetheless, I strongly believe this to be a question of having the correct mindset. Living in an anglophone environment pushes you to learn not only the language, but a whole other humour and culture. So, be on top of your English skills and get ready to be challenged!
- No. 3
Missing home!
Lastly, it is important to know that home-sickness is a real thing. I have a history of underestimating how much I miss home, my family, my friends, and, specially, my dog. But, as with anything else, there are many ways to overcome this. I like to watch Brazilian films and listen to my mom's playlists on Spotify – but that might just be me. It is also super helpful to call home whenever you can, and make friends who share this part of your identity with you. I really cannot describe how much having the Dartmouth Brazilian Society by my side has been helpful, for example.