Mental Health on Minds of International Students Studying in US | VOANews

Summary

The video highlights the mental health challenges faced by international students at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. Alana Taylor, the Senior Director of Student Well-Being, discusses the impact of mental health on students, emphasizing the added stress for international students due to cultural adjustments, language barriers, and homesickness. Freshman students from Mongolia and India share their experiences, acknowledging the importance of mental health support and therapy. The video showcases the resilience of international students and the university's efforts to provide constant mental health outreach and support.

Takeaways

• 😀 College life is challenging for students, especially during the transition to adulthood and navigating new identities.
• 😀 Mental health impacts nearly every aspect of a student's life, including their emotional and academic well-being.
• 😀 International students face additional challenges like adjusting to a new culture, language barriers, and homesickness.
• 😀 International students often experience stress due to the pressure of balancing two cultural identities.
• 😀 Mental health support at Marymount University is a significant advantage for students, especially those from cultures where mental health isn't emphasized.
• 😀 A freshman from Mongolia, Nan Chadman, shares that she struggles with homesickness despite adjusting to life at the university.
• 😀 Mental health resources at the university, such as therapy sessions, are seen as a key benefit for students like Chadman who come from cultures where mental health isn't prioritized.
• 😀 Another student, Aush Patel from India, emphasizes the importance of mental health, recalling his personal experience with depression during his earlier school years.
• 😀 Patel highlights the significance of mental health outreach from the university, which helps students stay aware and get support.
• 😀 Socializing and staying connected with people are key coping strategies for students like Chadman who struggle with feelings of isolation and homesickness.
• 😀 Experts at Marymount University note that international students are highly resilient, which helps them manage the difficulties of campus life despite their challenges.

Q & A

What is the role of Alana Taylor at Marymount University?

Alana Taylor is the Senior Director of Student Well-being at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.

How does mental health impact college students according to Alana Taylor?

Mental health impacts almost everything college students do, as college is a challenging time with many changes. Emerging adults deal with issues related to identity and career choices.

What specific challenges do international students face on campus?

International students often face challenges such as navigating two different cultures, language barriers, financial stress, and homesickness.

How does homesickness affect Nan Chadman, a freshman from Mongolia?

Nan Chadman experiences homesickness and feels a kind of emotional void despite adjusting to life on campus.

What is Nan Chadman's perspective on mental health and therapy in the US?

Nan Chadman believes mental health is important and appreciates how people in the US care about it, which is a significant advantage compared to her home country, where people didn't focus on mental health.

How does Aush Patel view mental health, and what experience shaped this view?

Aush Patel values mental health highly, having gone through depression without recognizing it in his 12th grade. His experience in the US helped him realize the importance of mental health.

What activity does Aush Patel look forward to during the holidays?

Aush Patel looks forward to enjoying the Christmas cheer by visiting Arlington, seeing the trees, and experiencing the festive atmosphere.

How does socializing help Nan Chadman cope with her emotions?

Nan Chadman feels better when socializing with others, as being around people acts as a form of emotional support or 'medication' for her.

What do university wellness experts say about international students' resilience?

University wellness experts emphasize that international students are extremely resilient, which helps them cope with the daily challenges of campus life.

What is the significance of mental health outreach at Marymount University for international students?

Marymount University’s constant mental health outreach is crucial for international students, providing them with support and resources to manage the unique stressors they face.