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By Dylan Pichnarick

Publications Intern

It can be a major culture shock to experience what a new country has to offer and how people from that country interact with you and the world around them, says Khoa Bùi, a junior international student from Vietnam at the International Education Week Panel discussion on Nov. 19. 

The panel discussion was held in the Center for Inclusive Excellence and hosted by the Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad during International Education Week. 

The purpose of the panel was for international students or students who have studied abroad to share their experiences.

 Bùi said traveling to the U.S. in pursuit of a college degree comes with many challenges, but staying connected to his support system in Vietnam has helped. 

“Thank God for technology nowadays. We just FaceTime and call … I call them constantly every week, and I think that's the biggest tip, too. For homesickness, just try to stay connected.”

Bùi, the Student Government Association Treasurer, said getting involved on campus has also been a major part of his college experience in the U.S. 

“The biggest thing to help me is just to put myself out there, to go to events, to just go to random places and just meet new people. That's the big thing about it - not to distract yourself - but just lessen the burden of homesickness and everything. I feel like everybody here experiences homesickness, whether that's from a different town or from a different country,” Bùi said. 

Similarly to Bùi, Cameron Doyle, a junior who has previously studied abroad, said combating homesickness is a major issue when abroad. However, meeting friends and experiencing a new culture were positive parts of his experience. 

He said while abroad he made “such a real, genuine group of friends” that he could spend time with. 

Doyle added that he missed his family while he was away, and wished he stayed better connected during the experience, but that he had a new appreciation for them when he returned home.