Changes in Psychological Challenges, Positive Experiences, and Coping Strategies among International Students in the United States before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand how the challenges and coping strategies among international students in the United States changed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a qualitative study through one-on-one in-depth interviews during April–June 2021. A total of 34 international students in the San Francisco Bay Area participated in this study. NVivo was used to analyze the qualitative data. Before COVID-19, the challenges were primarily related to a sense of belonging, such as culture shock, language barriers, and loss of identity. However, some positive experiences from school life and new culture were also found before COVID-19. During the pandemic, students faced difficulties with online learning and lockdown protocols that they had never experienced before. The ongoing challenges before and during COVID-19 were identity crisis, racism and discrimination, and financial struggles. Common coping strategies for overcoming these difficulties included engaging in physical activity, social exposure, self-improvement, and mental self-care. The frequency of online engagement and motivation for self-improvement were particularly highlighted during COVID-19. However, international students expressed a preference for improved support systems, including financial aid, paid research opportunities, and more accessible campus resources. Future research could focus on the strategies to support the psychological well-being of international students in coping with unexpected situations, such as disease outbreaks.