International Students: What Does Your Success Look Like? (Copy)
As you may know, I run a Facebook group titled “International Student Success in the U.S.” with almost 300 members at the time of this writing!
You may also hear me refer to myself as an “international student success coach.”
But, do we often enough stop to think about what success really means?
I sometimes wonder what success means to the members of my group.
They may join the group to learn about important things to overcome, achieving good grades, getting an internship they like, landing a respectable job and so on.
Or, they may be thinking even further down the road and considering how much they want to make, which fancy car they wish to purchase, or what kind of house they want to live in.
I love hearing my clients and community discuss goals and ambitions. Having a strong drive is important to building a bright future.
It’s also important, though, to get clear on what success means to you.
I’m speaking based on personal experience. When I got into the top school in Taiwan, I thought I was going to be so happy and that my life would be “all set.” I had worked so hard in high school in order to fulfill my promise to my family that I would get into the best university. But I wasn’t happy at all during my undergrad. Actually, I later realized I had lost precious opportunities to connect with my peers in high school and didn’t know how much I would learn by getting involved in student clubs.
It didn’t occur to me to actually pause and think about whether or not the external expectations placed upon me were something that really mattered to me, something that would make me feel really good and fulfilled. While I focused on pursuing something that was important to my family, I lost sight of other areas that would bring fun and joy into my life.
How often do you take the time to pause and get clear on your own goals and desires?
What would make you feel really good and fulfilled?
To some people, success may mean pursuing a career they’re passionate about, living a comfortable life and setting aside time for their family and friends.
What does your success look like?
I encourage you to take some time out of your busy school schedule to think about what you’re working on now and how your efforts can be worthwhile and meaningful to you.
About The Author
Fourteen years ago I came to the U.S. from Taiwan and studied in a field that rarely accepted “fresh off the boat” international students from non-English speaking countries. I’m Dr. Vivi Hua, Psy.D. and I help international students learn how to navigate the U.S. educational system and feel comfortable with the American culture so they can succeed academically and socially in their lives and careers!