What are warning signs that international students may be socially isolated?
Warning signs include few or poorly explained advising services and social opportunities for international students, limited contact with domestic students in classes or extracurricular activities, and inadequate language support or guidance on how to participate. It is also worth paying attention if international students repeatedly say that it is difficult to make friends or that they do not know where to seek help.
Key points
- Check whether advising offices, social events, and student organizations exist and are easy to access.
- Look for structured opportunities for international and domestic students to interact through classes or activities.
- Review current students’ experiences for repeated concerns about making friends or finding support.
Things to check
- Experiences can differ by university, faculty, program, academic year, and the student’s language and living circumstances. Check official information and, if possible, ask current students as well.