Mod 3 Discussion: Moving Students Into a New Culture

When I journeyed to Nigeria at 25, it marked my first venture outside the United States. The combination of my age and the unfamiliarity of being in a foreign land heightened my sense of culture shock, nostalgia, and loneliness. Among these emotions, loneliness proved to be the most challenging for me. Over the years of living and working in the US and engaging with fellow immigrants who arrived in Nigeria at a similar young age, I've come to realize that loneliness is a prevalent struggle for single young men. Despite making friends and connections, I still grappled with feelings of isolation. Loneliness isn't simply about being by oneself; that's solitude, which I appreciate and found beneficial during my student days for its ability to enhance focus and productivity. As newcomers from different countries navigate through a new culture, I extend a warm welcome not only to my classroom but also to their newfound home.