University of Michigan International Center

When I came to the US five years ago, I didn’t know much about English besides the grammar rules that I memorized in high school. I had never met anybody from South America, Africa, or Europe, and I did not know that outside of the Asian countries, drinking plain hot water is not normal. Cultural adaptation was not easy for me. There were times that I wish I was back in Taiwan, sharing meals with my family. And there were times that I felt misunderstood because I was not able to express myself fully in English. However, I was fortunate to gain a few cross-cultural friends who helped me realize the limit of my own culture and the beauty of cultural diversity. Reflecting back in the past five years, I could not be more grateful for being an international student because it gives me an opportunity to meet people from all over the world. According to the 2017 U-M International Center Statistical Report , there are over 7,000 international students from over 117 countries. The unique...

In summer 2016, the 13-year-old Lori Mae Hernandez received a standing ovation for her stand-up comedy act. Her prime joke was about her babysitting qualifications. She said, “My only qualification to be a babysitter is that I used to be a baby.” By the same token, my only qualification to write about mental health is that I struggled with a number of mental health problems as an international student here at the University of Michigan, particularly in the beginning of my study. After all, there is no formula and every person is different when it comes to mental health. By way of a working definition, according to U-M’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), “Wellness is a proactive and positive approach to living that increases resiliency to stress by promoting life balance and contentment.” Having stated my confession, and established what psychological well being entails, I would like to share a couple of related tips that might benefit new international students. ...

This time last year, I was getting ready to leave China to pursue graduate study at the University of Michigan.   I felt fully prepared and optimistic about turning over a new leaf in my life. What happened to me next is worth sharing with the newcomers to help them prepare for unexpected events that might lie ahead.   In order to make sure I had enough time to settle into my new life in America I bought plane tickets to arrive in the States a couple of weeks before the semester started. While embracing the excitement of a new beginning, I found myself waking up one morning unable to hear out of my right ear. It was a small cold that was caused by a combination of different factors, such as jet lag, lack of sleep, a change of environment and a new diet. If I was still in my home country I could easily get it taken care of. However, this time it was different, because I was in the United States and did not have medical insurance. Unfortunately,...

A task that every international student must finish sooner than later is furnishing their room/apartment post arrival. Your new home is where you would get to withdraw from the chaos of school and would expect to have a good night’s sleep. Given that basic furnishing (such as a bed, a study table, kitchenware, and bathroom supplies) is essential for a comfortable time at home, it is a matter of concern for many of us with a tight budget. You will be relieved to know that frugally and wisely furnishing your apartment is not too difficult. Looking for NEW furniture? For those wanting to buy new furniture, IKEA is one of the popular options. While just visiting IKEA is an experience that many look forward to, it is also where you could get the most comprehensive range of furniture and kitchenware. From beds, futons, rugs, fairy lights, bathroom supplies, decor items, study table and chair to the cheapest available kitchenware, you will find it all. R...