{"id":253203,"date":"2026-08-11T00:27:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T22:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.madescholarships.com\/?post_type=kennisbank&p=253203"},"modified":"2026-08-11T00:33:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T22:33:16","slug":"adjusting-to-us-college-life","status":"publish","type":"kennisbank","link":"https:\/\/www.madescholarships.com\/en\/resources\/adjusting-to-us-college-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Adjusting to life on a US college campus: how to settle in as an International student-athlete"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":253205,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Adjusting to life on a US college campus | Made Scholarships","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Struggling to adjust to US college life? Learn practical advice based on experience since 2009 on managing homesickness, social life, academics, and sports.","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"kennisbank-thema":[615],"kennisbank-type":[618],"class_list":["post-253203","kennisbank","type-kennisbank","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","kennisbank-thema-living-in-usa","kennisbank-type-artikel"],"acf":{"samenvatting":"For months you look forward to the moment you depart for the United States. You say goodbye to family and friends, and suddenly you step off the plane into a new reality.\r\nThe first few weeks on a US college campus are extraordinary. Everything is new: the language, the campus, practices, classes, and the people around you. While exciting, it can also feel somewhat overwhelming.\r\nVirtually every international student-athlete experiences an adjustment period, and that is completely normal. Having guided student-athletes through this transition since 2009, we consistently observe the same patterns. Those who feel at home the fastest are not necessarily those with the best English or the most outgoing personalities; they are the athletes who remain open to their new environment from day one.\r\n","leestijd":5,"body":"

Take initiative rather than waiting<\/h2>\r\nThe initial weeks at a new university are exciting for everyone\u2014not just international recruits, but American freshmen as well. Everyone is seeking new friendships and navigating campus life.\r\n\r\nWe encourage you not to wait for others to invite you. Ask to join teammates in the dining hall, participate when group outings occur, and strike up conversations with classmates during lectures.\r\n\r\nYou do not need to be the most extroverted person on the team; small moments of initiative make a significant difference.\r\n

Limit contact with home<\/h2>\r\nNearly every international student experiences homesickness at some point. It is a natural part of the transition. The temptation to spend hours video chatting daily with family, friends, or partners back home is strong. However, experience shows that excessive contact often makes adjusting more difficult.\r\n\r\nWhile keeping in touch is important, establish set times for calls or FaceTime. Dedicate the remainder of your time to being present on campus. The more time you invest in your new environment, the faster it will feel familiar.\r\n

Seize opportunities during orientation weeks<\/h2>\r\nUniversities organize numerous social activities during the opening weeks, including athletic events, barbecues, freshman orientation meetings, and student organization fairs.\r\n\r\nEven if you feel exhausted from new impressions or crave quiet time, participate as much as possible. The people you meet during those initial weeks often become the friends you share your entire college experience with. Additionally, core team bonds are established during this initial timeframe.\r\n

Establish a daily routine quickly<\/h2>\r\nInitial days on campus can feel chaotic as you navigate schedule changes and meet new people. Establishing daily structure helps restore a sense of control. (Read more about what a typical day looks like for a student-athlete<\/em>).\r\n\r\nWake up at consistent times, schedule dedicated study sessions, find your preferred study spots on campus, and familiarize yourself with facility locations. Once a daily rhythm is established, you will experience greater calm and focus.\r\n

Avoid constant comparisons to home<\/h2>\r\nAlmost every international student eventually catches themselves making comparisons:\r\n