The journey of international students in Maine is filled with many opportunities as well as cultural challenges. For instance,  the types of meals offered in the campus cafeteria are not well-suited to the tastes of international students, which vary widely.

Rebeca migrated to Maine from Angola in 2022, and her native language is Kikongo. I met her at the campus library, and we eventually became friends. One day, after classes, she asked me for a ride to purchase prepared meals at Yardie Ting, a Jamaican restaurant in Portland. She mentioned that the meals made at Yardie are similar to those made in her country, while  the food offered on campus is mostly premade by a factory and the meal service.  She is accustomed to organic food that is made from scratch. 

During our drive, I took the  opportunity to discuss other challenges that come with being an international student as well. Rebeca described the difficulties caused by the language barrier. “Even though my country’s official language is English, we had native languages such as Kimbundu, Kikongo, and Fiote which we felt more comfortable to communicate with. It is completely different when you have to use English everyday. Sometimes I hesitate to speak in class because I am afraid to make mistakes.” 

The third challenge has been the cold weather. Rebeca said that she has had trouble  performing several activities, and also becomes sick easily because her body is used to warm weather. 

Finally, Rebecca has experienced social isolation and other mental health challenges since moving to Maine. She experiences difficulty finding connections with local students and making new friends. She also feels that coping with academic pressure and stress while navigating the language barrier is unhealthy. 

As our trip came to an end, I thanked Rebeca for sharing her story about being an international student, and wished her good luck with her academics and personal life. 

Personally, I can relate to Rebeca’s experience. When I arrived, I faced the same struggles, albeit off-campus. Fortunately, I was eventually able to obtain my own apartment, purchase food, and make my own meals, which improved my situation. 

International students face unique challenges at school. They should take advantage of the resources available on campus – seeking the support of academic resources, networking with classmates, and participating in community events. This will help them in the process of integrating and adapting to life in Maine, which will enable them to socialize more, and feel more empowered.