Tips for dealing with Culture Shock for international students at WVU.

1. Normalizing Culture Shock
How to transition to the US
This section will highlight common challenges international students face
when they come to study in the U.S., general guidance on how to
manage the challenges, and also provide some resources available on
campus.

2. • Identify some of the common challenges international students
encounter on arrival in the United States.
• Identify some common practices on the management of these
challenges.
• Identify campus resources to assist with transition challenges.
Learning Objectives
Office of Global Affairs

3. Adjusting to the United States
• The process of adjusting to a new place and culture is a normal process that
can produce a wide variety of reactions and feelings. You may go through
certain stages as you are adjusting. When you experience the honeymoon
stage you are usually excited and enjoy all the things and experiences of your
new environment, in this case Morgantown and/or WVU.
• The experience of culture shock is when you begin to notice little things that
are different between your home culture and the US culture. Some of these
differences may make you feel out of place, different or uncertain. Adaptation
occurs when those differences that made you feel out of place, different, or
uncertain, begin to be understood and accepted. You begin to feel that you
belong, and understand those things that were different and made you
uncertain before.

4. Adjusting (cont.)
• The same effect of culture shock may also occur when you return home, and this is
called reverse culture shock. Things that you knew and were comfortable with before
may be experienced as different and foreign. By the time you go back to your home
country things may not be the same as they were when you first arrived to the US,
and you may have changed too. You may feel out of place.
• While this is described as stages, stages may not be the best
name for it because you may or may not go through all these
stages, may or may not go through these in order, and the
different stages may occur concurrently.

5. Common Challenges and Feelings
• To go a little deeper into the experience of culture shock, we’ll first need to talk a little about
the common challenges and feelings associated with this experience of change and
difference. Then, we will talk about what you can do to manage these challenges so that you
can thrive at WVU.
• You may experience homesickness, which can be made worse by communication or language
difficulties. Moving to a new country, leaving your family and friends, a culture that you know
and understand will likely make you wish you were home, instead of missing all the people
and things that you are familiar with and love.
• Academic or classroom expectations may also be different from what you are used to. For
example, professors here expect class participation and most students who are from the US
are comfortable speaking up during class. If you experience some language barriers, this may
make it a more frustrating and stressful experience for you.

6. Common Challenges (cont.)
• Sometimes there may be unexpected stressors that occur, including problems back
home, loss of a family member or friend, civil unrest. You will also have the added
pressure of maintaining your immigration status, which have specific requirements
that you have to pay attention to while you are trying to do your best academically.
• All these challenges may result in different feelings, such as anxiety/nervousness,
anger, helplessness, fear for your safety, uncertainty about whether to stay or return
home, or not belonging.

7. Basic Advice• Since you may miss home, it may be helpful to bring some things that remind of you
home, and definitely keep in contact with your friends and family! You may want to
consider Skype or other apps on phones that will allow you to have easier
communication.
• Not only do you want to keep in contact with individuals from home, but you will also
want to make new friends and a support network at WVU. These individuals may be
your roommates, hall mates or classmates. You may also want to venture out of your
established routines and participate in a student association, activity or club.
International Student and Scholars Services will also send you updates on different
activities and opportunities offered by the Office of Global Affairs.
• Become familiar with the available resources in Morgantown that can help you attend to
your needs, such as different restaurants, grocery stores (halal, Asian, Middle Eastern
stores are available), and church/temple/mosque. There are also plenty of outdoor
activities available. Explore, ask questions and seek advice when you need it. We are
here to help you.

8. Carruth Center Services
• What is the Carruth Center? The Carruth Center is dedicated to fostering a
supportive learning environment for all members of the WVU community by
offering psychological and psychiatric services. The following Services are
offered:
• Counseling
• Individual
• Couples
• Group
• Drug and Alcohol
• Student Assistance Program (SAP) for substance abuse
• Psychiatry (medication)
• Learning Disability/ADHD Assessment
• MindFit Clinic

9. Counseling
• Individual Counseling: Students have the opportunity to sit down with a counselor one-
on-one to discuss their concerns in a private and confidential setting. Our short-term
individual counseling sessions last about forty-five to fifty minutes and may be held
once a week, once every other week, or less frequently. Many students find that their
concerns are resolved in three to four sessions.
• Group Counseling: Group counseling offers students the opportunity to meet with other
students experiencing similar concerns. All group counseling sessions are intended to
facilitate a supportive and confidential therapeutic environment. A clinician helps guide
and direct the students during the group session. Group counseling sessions are held
weekly and often last for a few weeks for an hour to an hour and a half per session.
More information can be found on our group counseling page.
• Drug and Alcohol Counseling: The Student Assistance Program offers a number of different
counseling options for students seeking drug or alcohol counseling. Students may participate
in individual counseling, group counseling, and educational activities. The Student Assistance
Program also provides information concerning community resources, such as Alcoholics
Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. More information can be found on the Student
Assistance Program page.

10. Emergencies
• If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis or a psychological
emergency when the Carruth Center is open, you can call (304-293-4431
or visit. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life threatening
situation and is in need of immediate attention, call 911.
• The Carruth Center does have after hours counselors that are on call to be
able to assist you.
• http://carruth.wvu.edu/home

11. MindFit Screening
• MindFit Screenings are appropriate for students:
• who are experiencing academic issues and want to learn more about
those variables affecting their achievement
• those students who are seeking a medication evaluation to treat
attention concerns.
• To find out more: http://mindfit.well.wvu.edu/screening

12. Where is the Carruth Center
located?
• Our physical address is 390 Birch Street:
• Behind the Recreation Fields and
adjacent to the Student Recreational
Center
• Parking for patients/visitors is available
• Closest PRT Station is Towers, walk the
path around the Recreational Fields