It is normal to have some ups and downs during the transition to American culture. Homesickness and culture shock occur to most people. Some people never experience homesickness. Everyone, even Americans, find that they sometimes deal with situations and people incorrectly.

The best way to deal with homesickness or culture shock is to look at events that bother you, assess it, and search for how you can deal with it more appropriately in the future.

1. Observe how others are acting in the same situation.
2. Describe the situation; what it meant to you, and your response to it.
3. Ask someone who has moved here from your country or another country how they would have handled the situation.
4. Plan out how you will deal with this or a similar situation in the future. Ask a friend, a counselor or the ISC their opinion of your plan.
5. Decide how you can apply what you have learned the next time you find you find yourself in a similar situation.
6. Take good care of your physical body – eat correctly, exercise, get plenty of rest.
7. Take time to relax doing things you enjoy – being with friends, reading, watching movies, etc.
8. Keep in contact with family and friends at home.
9. Take time to explore the Columbia community. There are many interesting things to see and do that are free or low cost.
10. Think about all the things you like about the United States and your time here.

If you are experiencing difficulty with the transition, and you feel you should seek counseling, international students should consult with the International Student Coordinator or the Counseling Center as soon as possible

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