NC State offers a multitude of ways for your student to meet other students, especially in the first weeks upon arrival. There are many events students can check out, as well as many clubs open to students. Visit the Wolfpack Welcome Weeks website for more information to share with your student.

Remind your student to complete their Office of International Services (OIS) checklist, which includes several tasks to ensure they are in compliance with regulations and to help them successfully settle into their life on campus.

Move- in looks different for every student. If you are unable to join them for this experience, here’s a great way to encourage your student to share their thoughts about settling into a new environment with new people. Invite them to talk about their favorite moments, share photos of their room setup and introduce you to their new friends.

Campus life is most likely going to be a very different experience from your student’s life at home. Stay in touch with your student and ensure they’re taking steps to maintain a sense of connection to home.

Pro tip: College students enjoy receiving mail from home. Send your student a thoughtful reminder to help during those times when homesickness, which is completely normal, might set in.

International or domestic, a college student’s first week can be overwhelming. Some are over the moon excited, others may be disappointed that it isn’t what they had pictured and some are simply at a loss for where to begin. Encouraging students to share some of their experiences while validating the experience for what it is, new and foreign, and that transition takes time. Don’t expect students to necessarily share every detail, but to highlight one or two moments that stuck out to them and then follow up with more conversation as time goes on and they settle into life on campus a bit more.

Pro tip: Your student’s first week may be stressful or overwhelming, so take that into account when reaching out to them.  Your student may still be digesting their first week and might not be ready to communicate it.  Be patient and be supportive once they’re ready to talk.

American college classes are already a stark contrast from American high school classes, and the gap only widens for international students. There will be more complicated language, as well as more complicated topics and concepts, so the adjustment will be difficult. Ensure your student is adjusting well to the new academic environment and is making an effort to reach out for help when needed. NC State has a wide range of resources to help international students succeed. Remind your student that college is supposed to be challenging, and encourage them to use office hours and connect early for support.

Getting involved in campus life can be a bit overwhelming, particularly for international students who are adapting to a new environment. However, NC State offers an impressive variety of over 600 clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether you’re passionate about cultural exchange, sports, music or community service, there’s something for everyone. Additionally, the university hosts numerous athletic events where you can cheer for the Wolfpack, as well as engaging arts activities like theater productions, music performances and art exhibitions. These opportunities not only help you develop new skills but also provide a chance to meet new friends and find a sense of belonging outside of the classroom. 

Asking your student how they’ve been balancing and managing their workload is an important conversation to have. Have they given time to themselves? Time to rest? Have they been feeling stressed out lately?  Staying mentally and physically healthy can reduce stress, so encourage your student not to neglect their health. NC State offers a wide range of support resources through the Counseling Center and Prevention Services. 

Pro tip: If you suspect your student is struggling but you have only talked to them or communicated via text and they are saying otherwise, ask to make time for a video call. Putting your eyes on your student is important. You will be able to tell how they’re doing physically (i.e. do they look tired or exhausted? Have they lost or gained a significant amount of weight in a short period? Are they keeping up with self-care? etc.)

A student’s health is the top priority; parents and families are welcome to contact the Parents’ Helpline by phone at (919) 515-2441, by email at ncstateparents@ncsu.edu, or by submitting a CARES report online.

The Office of International Services (OIS) offers a series of mini-sessions to introduce incoming international students to information they might not know enough about.  These mini-sessions will focus on topics like stress, health, safety and learning how to apply for a Social Security number.  Inform and remind your student about these mini-sessions and be sure to attend as many as you can to familiarize yourself with what we provide.

Dining on campus will be different from eating with family at home, especially for international students, and it may take some time to adjust. Fortunately, NC State offers a variety of dining halls, food courts and restaurants across campus for students to enjoy, along with nutrition services. While it may not be the same as what they are accustomed to at home, this experience can help broaden their food preferences and encourage them to eat regularly and maintain balanced meals.

Time zone differences can play a significant role in your student’s adjustment to life at NC State. It’s important to check in with them and see how they’re managing with the time changes and any jet lag they might be experiencing. Offering support during this transition can help make their experience smoother and more enjoyable.

For most incoming students, being in college for the first time will mean having a roommate for the first time, which is an unfamiliar experience that your student might not know how to handle. Your student should fill out the Roommate Agreement alongside their roommate so that they can come to a consensus on matters involving their shared room. Encourage your student to foster a cordial relationship with their roommate so that they can be on good terms with each other throughout the course of the school year.

Occasionally, students will struggle with getting a healthy amount of sleep every night, in light of being overwhelmed or dealing with stress in their day-to-day lives. Sleep is critical to a student’s health and ensuring that they’re getting a proper amount of good sleep every night will effectively keep their health in check. Our counseling center provides information on sleep habits and what students should work towards.

Wolfpack Welcome Weeks are 14 days of special events and activities that invite NC State students to meet and connect with other students in numerous unique ways.  From movies to parties, encourage your student to check out all the events Welcome Week has to offer.  Stay updated with your student, ask them how their Welcome Week(s) went and hear about all the new people they’ve interacted with.

The transition for international students and their families can be both exciting and a bit confusing. It’s important to regularly check in with your student, as they may face new experiences that surprise them. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings, creating a space for open communication. Your support and presence can make a big difference as they navigate this journey. Together, you can embrace the challenges and celebrate the successes, helping them build confidence in their new environment.