Questions to Ask International Students
Thoughtful questions to ask international students about their experiences, cultures, and perspectives to build connections and learn about different ways of life.
1What brought you to study in this country?
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What brought you to study in this country?
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Why this works
Understanding their motivation helps you learn about their goals and what they value in education and life experiences.
2What's the biggest difference between your home country and here?
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What's the biggest difference between your home country and here?
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Why this works
Learning about cultural differences helps you understand their perspective and appreciate the diversity of human experience.
3What do you miss most about home?
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What do you miss most about home?
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Why this works
This question helps you understand what they value and what makes them feel connected to their roots.
4What's been the most surprising thing about living here?
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What's been the most surprising thing about living here?
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Why this works
Learning about their surprises helps you see your own culture through fresh eyes and understand what they find unexpected.
5How do you celebrate holidays and special occasions in your culture?
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How do you celebrate holidays and special occasions in your culture?
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Why this works
Understanding their traditions helps you learn about their cultural background and what's important to them.
6What's your favorite food from home and why do you love it?
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What's your favorite food from home and why do you love it?
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Why this works
Food is deeply connected to culture and identity, so learning about their favorite dishes helps you understand their background.
7What language do you speak at home, and how do you keep it alive?
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What language do you speak at home, and how do you keep it alive?
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Why this works
Language is a key part of cultural identity, and this question helps you understand their linguistic background and efforts to maintain it.
8What's the most interesting thing about your home country that people here might not know?
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What's the most interesting thing about your home country that people here might not know?
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Why this works
This question helps you learn about their country's unique aspects and gives them a chance to share their pride and knowledge.
9How do you stay connected with family and friends back home?
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How do you stay connected with family and friends back home?
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Why this works
Understanding their connection methods helps you appreciate the challenges of maintaining relationships across distances and time zones.
10What's been the hardest part of adjusting to life here?
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What's been the hardest part of adjusting to life here?
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Why this works
Learning about their challenges helps you understand their struggles and how you might support them.
11What's something from your culture that you wish more people here knew about?
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What's something from your culture that you wish more people here knew about?
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Why this works
This question gives them a chance to share what they value about their culture and what they'd like others to understand.
12How do you handle homesickness and what helps you feel better?
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How do you handle homesickness and what helps you feel better?
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Why this works
Understanding their coping strategies helps you know how to support them and learn about their emotional resilience.
13What's your favorite thing about living here so far?
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What's your favorite thing about living here so far?
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Why this works
Learning about their positive experiences helps you understand what they appreciate and what makes their experience worthwhile.
14How do you balance maintaining your cultural identity with adapting to life here?
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How do you balance maintaining your cultural identity with adapting to life here?
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Why this works
This question helps you understand their approach to cultural integration and the challenges of maintaining identity while adapting.
15What's the most important lesson you've learned from living in a different country?
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What's the most important lesson you've learned from living in a different country?
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Why this works
Learning about their insights helps you understand their growth and what they've gained from their international experience.
16How do you explain your home country to people who've never been there?
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How do you explain your home country to people who've never been there?
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Why this works
This question helps you understand how they see their own country and what they think is most important for others to know.
17What's something you've learned about your own culture by living here?
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What's something you've learned about your own culture by living here?
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Why this works
Living abroad often provides new perspectives on one's own culture, and this question helps you understand their self-discovery.
18How do you handle cultural misunderstandings or stereotypes?
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How do you handle cultural misunderstandings or stereotypes?
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Why this works
Understanding their approach to these challenges helps you learn how to be more culturally sensitive and supportive.
19What's your dream for your future, and how does your international experience fit into it?
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What's your dream for your future, and how does your international experience fit into it?
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Why this works
Learning about their aspirations helps you understand their goals and how their international experience shapes their vision.
20What advice would you give to someone from your country who's thinking about studying abroad?
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What advice would you give to someone from your country who's thinking about studying abroad?
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Why this works
Their advice reveals their wisdom and experience, and helps you understand what they've learned from their journey.
Best Practices for Connecting with International Students
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Show Genuine Interest
Ask questions because you're genuinely curious about their experiences, not just to be polite or check a diversity box.
Be Respectful and Open-Minded
Approach their culture with respect and openness. Don't judge or compare their experiences to yours.
Listen Actively
Pay attention to their answers and ask follow-up questions. Show that you value their perspective and experiences.
Share Your Own Experiences
When appropriate, share your own cultural experiences to create mutual understanding and connection.
Question Sequences
The Cultural Exchange Sequence
The Personal Experience Sequence
The Connection and Support Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Make Assumptions
Don't assume their experiences or perspectives based on their country of origin. Each person's experience is unique.
Don't Treat Them as Representatives
Don't expect them to speak for their entire country or culture. They're individuals with their own experiences.
Don't Ignore Their Challenges
Acknowledge that living in a different country can be difficult. Don't minimize their struggles or experiences.
Don't Focus Only on Differences
While cultural differences are interesting, also focus on commonalities and shared human experiences.