In recent years, there has been a spurt in international student enrollment for higher education. Studying abroad has opened up opportunities for personal growth and development. Still, for international students, it has also presented challenges in the form of culture shock, academic stress and language barriers, apart from social pressure, isolation, financial problems, employment-related anxieties and a general lack of comfort in having their loved ones nearby. In the face of anxiety and depression faced by students while studying abroad, we discuss mental health tips for international students in this blog. 

In such cases, mental health problems hinder their study abroad experience, and even impact them academically and professionally. There are instances of students abandoning their studies to move back home, putting all the efforts to waste.

Read Also: Germany Visa Free for Indian Students: Gratis Visa Explained

Mental Health Challenges Faced by Indian Students Abroad 

Despite making their dreams come true, Indian students have to grapple with mental health problems while they are studying abroad and living away from home. These challenges include: 

Mental Health Tips for Students Studying Abroad 

Indian students studying abroad often face a variety of challenges, but with the right strategies, these challenges can be effectively managed. Here are some mental health tips for international students to address issues of loneliness, depression, isolation and anxiety in a foreign place.

Step Out 

When anxiety and depression hit, the first instinct of many people is to stay locked up indoors. This can spell disaster for your mental health. While it may be overwhelming to step outside, going for a walk can help reduce cortisol, boost your mood, improve focus, and ground yourself. 

Most foreign university campuses feature lush landscapes filled with greenery. Even a short 10-to 20-minute walk in nature can improve your mood and help you regulate your emotions.

Read Also: MBA vs MiM: Which is Better for Your Career in 2025?

Break Down Tasks

You don’t have to chase perfection in everything you do. Whether it’s studies or errands, break down your tasks into manageable, small steps to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Remember to take one day at a time and also one task at a time. Reduce negative self talk, celebrate small steps and be easy on yourself. 

Connect With Fellow Students

Never underestimate the power of human connections. When studying abroad, you can often feel isolated in a foreign country due to language and cultural barriers. In such cases, forging connections with other students, attending social events and joining student clubs can go a long way in reducing isolation and reducing some of the mental health burden. 

By connecting with others, you can talk about your hopes and fears and find a support system that offers you comfort when your parents are not around. 

Attend Campus Events and Take Part in Social Activities

Campus events are a great way to meet new people and make friends. Join hobby clubs where you can discuss your interests, such as poetry, music, writing or movies. By sharing your interests, you can open yourself up to new experiences and opportunities for friendship. 

Attending social events in and around the campus can help you understand the local culture and help mitigate some of the barriers you may encounter. It will also help you integrate yourself with the local community, making you feel less isolated and anxious.

Talk to Loved Ones

Like you, even your loved ones are anxious about your well-being. Talking to them can not only reduce your stress but also theirs, knowing that you are coping well in a foreign country. Stay in touch with your parents, siblings, and close friends through texts, calls, and video calls to combat homesickness. Knowing that there are people back home caring for your mental health is a comforting thought. 

Learn Something New Apart From Studies

Sometimes, a block in creative energy can manifest as depression or anxiety. In such cases, you should find a way to channel it by chasing a hobby or simply learning something new. Take up a cooking class, start a writing project, learn a new language, or play a musical instrument; learning something new or engaging in a creative activity can boost confidence, improve brain function, and reduce overall stress. 

Exercise

The mind-body connection is real; the worse you feel inside, the worse you feel on the outside. It can also work in reverse. If you work out, exercise, go for jogs or do yoga, you instantly flood your body with feel-good endorphins, which in turn makes your mental health better. 

Learn the Local Language

Earning the local language, if it isn’t English, can not only be a good hobby but also a survival mechanism in a foreign country. For example, if you are in France, learning how to speak and understand French and immersing yourself in the French culture can help reduce some of the cultural barriers you face. In the end, you will have learnt an extra language, expanded your own cultural horizons and made some friends along the way.

Be Wise With Your Money

Be mindful of emotional spending. When you are in the throes of bad mental health, you may be tempted to spend money to soothe yourself. Adding financial stress to your already frail mental health can be a double whammy. Make a note to yourself to be mindful of where you spend your money, especially if you don’t have a part-time job to fall back on to.

Seek Help

Not all mental health problems in international students can be allayed by a walk in the park or by making friends. Suppose your mental health issues have been interfering with your day-to-day life, isolating you from everyone else, obstructing your studies and affecting your sleep cycles. In that case, you may have to seek professional help. 

Many colleges and universities offer free therapy sessions with their on-campus psychologists, who are trained to handle such types of problems in students. If mental health problems in international students are not dealt with right away, they can worsen and even result in self-harm. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Mental Health Issues of International Students?

International students or Indian students studying abroad can suffer from a host of mental health problems such as loneliness, homesickness anxiety and depression since they are burdened with familial expectations, repayment of loans, adjusting to new culture and environment, academic pressures, financial difficulties and displacement. 

How to Improve the Mental Health of Students Studying Abroad?

Mental health tips for international students will help cope them deal with the pressure of adjusting to a new environment while dealing with academic and financial stress. To improve mental health of international students, they should cultivate habits like networking, attending campus events, learning a new hobby, going for walks, working out, keeping in touch with loved ones and seeking professional assistance if they need help. 

Does Living Abroad Affect Mental Health in Students?

Living abroad can present a lot of challenges of international students such as culture shock, homesickness, isolation, academic pressure, financial stress, and language and cultural barriers. If they do not seek help, students may also face burnout and identity issues. Follow and practise mental health tips for international students to make your study abroad experience stress free.

Is Study Abroad Good for Introverts?

Study abroad can be good for introverts who are open minded. While the thought can initially be challenging, it can also translate to a lot of benefits for them. The experience allows introverted students to come out of their shell and meet new people. This can translate into personal growth. Introverts may also benefit from the unfamiliarity of foreign environments, giving them the necessary quiet time to recharge and regroup. 

How to Deal With Anxiety While Studying Abroad?

Studying in a foreign country can stoke anxiety in students in the first couple of months as academic stress, financial worries and homesickness mounts. But following a routine, exercising regularly, taking mindful breaks, limiting stimulus, connecting with people and building a support system with friends and family can help mitigate the anxiety of studying abroad.