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New International Students

Adjusting to Living and Studying in the US

Adjusting to college life outside of your home country is difficult. Homesickness and adaptation is a natural reaction of your body to this change. Its effect can be amplified by a sudden change of your time zone.

You should expect to experience waves of emotion as on the graph below. The period from Honeymoon to Adjustment typically takes 4-12 weeks. During the Conflict / Culture Shock phase you will be unhappy, irritable, anxious and uncomfortable.

Graph depicting the psychological adjustment curve when adapting to a new culture, showing phases from Honeymoon, Conflict/Culture Shock, Recovery, to Adjustment. The curve illustrates the emotional highs and lows experienced during entry to a host culture and returning to the home culture.

Visit the Counseling Center at Whitman College if you need help dealing with culture shock or other mental health issues.

International Student and Scholar Services