10 Challenges facing international students

1. Language barriers: It might be difficult for international students to comprehend and communicate clearly in a foreign language. Their ability to succeed academically, engage with others, and generally integrate into the new society can all be hampered by this.

2. Cultural shock: For international students, adjusting to a new culture can be stressful. They could encounter disparities in diet, morals, traditions, and social mores, which can be perplexing and lead to emotions of loneliness and homesickness.

3. Financial challenges: Due to high tuition costs, high living costs, and a lack of employment prospects, international students frequently have financial issues. They might find it difficult to pay for needs and instructional materials, which would stress them out and negatively affect their experience.

4. prejudice and racism: Because of their race, nationality, or accent, some international students may experience prejudice or racism. Their sense of belonging in their new environment, mental health, and self-worth may all be impacted by this.

5. Academic pressure: For international students, varying educational systems, pedagogical approaches, and expectations might be difficult. They could experience stress and poorer academic performance as a result of their inability to adjust to new study techniques, grading procedures, and academic requirements.

6. Homesickness and social isolation: Being separated from friends and family can exacerbate emotions of homesickness and loneliness. Due to linguistic or cultural limitations, international students may find it difficult to form new friendships, expand their networks of support, and participate in social activities.

7. Limited access to healthcare: If international students do not have health insurance, they may have trouble finding inexpensive treatment. This may cause them to wait longer to seek medical care and receive insufficient support for their physical and mental health requirements.

8. Visa and immigration issues: For international students, dealing with visa requirements, immigration paperwork, and maintaining legal status can be challenging and overwhelming. Any mistakes or holdups in these procedures could have a negative impact on their prospects for higher education and the future.

9. Career and career prospects: Due to work visa constraints, language competence requirements, or a lack of knowledge of local job markets and networking opportunities, international students may have trouble finding internships, jobs, or post-graduation employment.

10. Academic and cultural adjustment: It may be challenging for international students to get around the academic environment, comprehend academic standards, and adjust to new learning methodologies. They might also find it difficult to organize their time, conduct research, work in groups, or communicate their views in an environment that is not their own.

Advantages and disadvantages of distance learning

1. Flexibility: the flexibility offered by distance learning is one of its main advantages. Because they can access and interact with course materials at any time and from any location, students can arrange their schedules to meet their particular needs and commitments.

2. Convenience and comfort: distance learning allows students to study from the comfort of their own homes. Students no longer have to commute and can easily access lectures, homework assignments, and other resources.

3. Individual pace of learning: with online classes, students can proceed at their own pace. They can review or watch the materials as many times as needed to ensure they fully understand the information.

4. Increased accessibility: rural learning allows students with physical limitations or those who live in rural areas to access education they might not otherwise have. It also removes geographic restrictions so that students can can receive instruction from different educational institutions all around the world.

5. Cost-Benefit Ratio: For students, distance learning can be more affordable. There are no costs such as travel, lodging, and textbooks that are often associated with traditional face-to-face instruction.

6. Better time management: students who study through distance learning must manage their time and organize themselves independently. This can develop important time management skills that can be applied to many areas of life.

7. Increased digital literacy: Digital tools and platforms are often used in distance learning. This can help students develop their digital skills, become familiar with online collaboration tools, and master the use of technology in the classroom.

8. Ways to motivate yourself: distance learning requires a higher level of self-control and drive. In order to complete assignments and achieve academic goals, students must take initiative and maintain attention, which can improve their ability to work independently.

9. Limited social contact: a major disadvantage of distance learning is the lack of face-to-face interaction with classmates and instructors. Because of the lack of social interaction, it can be difficult for children to make friends, work on group projects, and participate in collaborative learning.

10. Learning at home may be subject to distractions, such as interruptions from household responsibilities, family members, or the temptation to do other things. These distractions can impact productivity and concentration and require more self-control to stay on task.

Iwa Social Club of Bremen, Germany Operation feed 100 families in Nigeria

Iwa Social Club of Bremen,

Germany-Covid-19 Operation feed 100 families in Nigeria.

Our thoughts are with you in Nigeria, in Africa and in all over the world. In this period of Coronavirus pandemie, IWA as a yoruba socio cultural organisation based in Bremen, Germany, apart from the contribution through our operation feed 100 family project to cushion the excruciating effect of the Covid-19 and alleviate the suffering of Covid-19 lock down in Nigeria, we also believe we should make some suggestions which can be useful to the management of this crisis in Nigeria.

People should not be over fearful, scared or panic to their death in this period. No one should die before death comes. 

Yes, we are optimistic and are here to give you hope but not to deceive you into thinking Coronavirus is not real or not deadly. It is as bad as anything you can think of. Many are surviving and coming out of it but since no one knows who will and who will not? Prevention they say is better and less expensive than cure.

Take your life seriously. Even if things are hard for you today and life seems to be meaningless. If you will preserve your life, tomorrow may be better. It is good you try your best. Give it a good fight. 

Below are our suggestions to manage our personal lives and manoeuvre our ways out of this pandemie.

    1. Observe all the NCDC, WHO and other health organisations' guidelines:

• Wash your hand regularly. 
• Practise physical distance.
• Use an appropriate Nose-Face mask.
• Avoid social gathering.
• If you can afford it, stay at home. 
• Use your hand sanitiser regularly.

Avoid touching your face, nose, mouth without washing your hand.

    2. Boost your immune system. There are many ways you can boost your immune system.  Research, ask and just try as many options as possible. Till now there is no Vaccine, no drugs, no medication and no therapy. What helps in most cases is the individual immune system. 

    3. Pray:  Prayer is the key to all doors, the answer to all questions. When all else fails, God will never fail.

    4. Government should put more effort in educating the masses on this particular         pandemic and the steps they are taking.

• On stigmatisation.
• On the need to come out for test.
• On how to prevent the spread.
• On first steps to manage the symptoms.

    5. Government should shy away from excuses. Rise up to the challenges. Adequate test is the first step to winning this war. Without adequate and proper testing, we may be losing this fight. 

    6. Proper tracing of indexes is also paramount. Government should design more tactical means of tracing people who may have contact with infected persons. 

    7. Government should ask and answer the question on how the people under lock down are expected to survive, financially, phycologically etc. 

    8. Isolation centre should not be made to be seen as a correction centre, next step to a mug or prison. The people there need extra ordinary care. Feeding, medical, social and emotional care.

    9. Government should pay serious attention to the rise of security problem and social vices in our society due to frustration and depression.

    10.  Government should with immediate effect develop strategies  to safeguard jobs. High rates of job loss, unemployment, business collapse, and depression may be the next pandemic to face in the next few months.

Thank you. 

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