A Kent State student FaceTimes his family as they gather around the phone in Kerala, India. One by one, family members pop in to say hello. While most of his relatives are in India, his brothers also live abroad and take turns sharing their experiences during the call.
Roshan Renney, a freshman mechatronics engineering student, stays connected with his family back home every day. He believes maintaining family ties is crucial for the well-being of international students. In his hometown, he said there is always someone around, and everyone feels like family, creating a strong sense of community.
Family is an important part of many people’s lives, and being away from family can be hard for many individuals, especially international students, according to the National Library of Medicine.
“I miss my friends and family the most,” Renney said.
When you live far away from family, there has to be another way to connect with them because quickly going home for the weekend isn’t always an option, said Pravallika Ramachandrapurapu, an international graduate student from Hyderabad, India. Ramachandrapurapu is obtaining a master of science in emerging media and technology.
“You can’t easily go back, even when you really miss family,” Ramachandrapurapu said. “It takes a lot of time, and it is expensive.”
Traveling to different countries can take many hours because of long plane rides and layovers. Renney said it takes him 42 hours to return to his home.
Modern-day technology allows international students to have a way to connect and communicate with their family and friends, allowing Ramachandrapurapu to call her family on WhatsApp every other day.
Ramachandrapurapu said having relationships with people who share the same cultural background and beliefs can also help international students become more comfortable with their new environment.
“It is nice to have friends that are from my country because they share similar values and understand my culture even though they are not from the same exact place,” she said.
While FaceTime and WhatsApp can be valuable tools for staying connected, it’s equally important for international students to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, according to Jef Davis, associate director for international student and scholar services.
“What helps a lot of students is feeling like they are a part of other Kent State groups, not just international students,” Davis said. “A significant way the university helps international students is by fostering connection and community.”
The Office of Global Education and CAPS facilitate events such as International Student Lunch Conversations, Global Safari, Cultural Cafe and festivals. These events allow students to share their culture and connect with peers.
“One source of support for international students is getting to know other international students,” Davis said.
Likewise, the Intercultural Student Life office has discovered a way to support students by providing support from other international students.
Ashton Leigh, director of the office of intercultural student life, said they offer peer-led drop-in hours to provide a chance for international students to talk to other international students.
“I can answer certain questions but when students have help from peers there is an understanding from them,” Leigh said. “They can also help each other in an emotional and logical way.”
This sense of support and connection extends beyond academic help, as students also find comfort in the community and resources available to them.
“The organizations at Kent help to make me feel more at home, which helps with the long spans away from my home and family,” Ramachandrapurapu said.
Joi Sims is a reporter. You can contact her at [email protected].