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For many students, studying abroad is a rite of passage. Beyond being an exciting adventure, it offers the opportunity to broaden horizons, learn a new language and gain invaluable life experiences, and ultimately opens doors to future possibilities.
Despite the benefits, students can face significant challenges when relocating to another country. Issues such as homesickness, culture shock, language barriers, financial difficulties, and feelings of isolation can significantly impact mental wellbeing. So, what support is available for students who find themselves struggling far from home? We spoke with representatives from the University of Valencia (UV) and experts in the insurance industry to explore the current support systems on offer.
Issues such as homesickness, culture shock, language barriers, financial difficulties, and feelings of isolation can significantly impact mental wellbeing
Study abroad surge
In today’s globalised world, studying abroad is increasingly popular. Despite a temporary decline due to the pandemic, universities across the world are once again welcoming streams of international students. Zsuzsanna Bodo, the Head of Travel Assistance at Iris Global, revealed that Iris Global insured over 120,000 international students last year.
She pointed to data from UNESCO showing that 6.4 million international students were studying abroad through global mobility programmes in 2021, a significant jump from the two million students recorded in 2000.
In 2023, Project Atlas identified the US, the UK, Canada, France, Australia, and Germany as the top des tinations for international students. As the front runner, the US welcomed over two million international students during the 2022/23 academic year – reflecting an 11.5% increase from the previous year, according to Open Doors.
In Spain, the Ministry of Universities reported that over 46,000 Spanish students ventured abroad through mobility programmes in the 2021/22 academic year, while 135,474 international students chose to enrol in Spanish universities during the same time. We spoke to the Vice- Rectorate for Internationalisation and Multilingualism at UV, who informed us that the university has welcomed 2,782 exchange students this academic year (2023/24). Additionally, there are 2,308 international students enrolled in undergraduate degree programmes and 2,300 international students completing postgraduate degrees.
Most common mental health conditions – culture shock a top concern
The Vice-Rectorate noted that in recent years they have observed a slight increase in mental health-related issues among foreign students. They indicated that the most frequently reported issues involve depression and anxiety, which may stem from factors such as culture shock, disruptions in routine, difficulty with adapting to new languages, unmet expectations, or the disappointment of finding that studying abroad does not resolve existing mental health concerns.
Bodo noted similar findings at Iris Global, outlining the most frequently reported issues as anxiety, sleep disorders, and stress. She explained that, for those studying abroad for the first time, “it’s very common to suffer cultural shock, difficulties to adapt to new situations and also stress related to new educational requirements at the destination university or organisation. Very often they have serious doubts about their professional future, as during their trip they might have their first work experience (internship). Depression is also a very common condition, and insecurity in an unknown environment. They often feel alone and find it difficult to face everyday situations without the support of their family or friends.”
Claudia Reichstein, Head of the Department of International Programmes at Dr-Walter, also identified culture shock and homesickness as primar y concerns. Additionally, she said, eating disorders are another common problem.
Greg Lawson, Head of Travel Insurance at Collinson, pointed out that although specific data on mental health needs among students may be limited, there is growing awareness of how neurodiverse traits and diagnosed conditions can impact students while travelling.
Bodo highlighted the problem of misdiagnosis, explaining that mental health issues can present as physical symptoms such as stomach aches, back pain, headaches, etc. As a result, she said, “the students overuse the medical services seeking care with inappropriate specialists instead of treating the mental issue”.
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