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Learning Objective #1: identify several challenges experienced by international students living and studying at university in the US.

Learning Objective #2: identify three strategies used by international students to assimilate and acculturate in the "host" culture.

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Each year, international students (IS) uproot themselves from their home countries, families, friends, and other key people from their social support networks to pursue study at universities around the globe. Most IS assimilate and acculturate in the "host" culture successfully. However, some IS are challenged and distressed by cultural differences, social isolation, education differences, and difficulties with English language proficiency. A qualitative research approach was used to study 20 international students from 5 continents who were studying at a private university in the southern region of the US. The study purpose was to explore to what extent these challenges affect the health and well being of IS. Analyses revealed how the international students survived and in some cases, thrived in their transition of adjusting to changes in physical environment and living with cultural, academic, and social differences.