In Psychology Today, Richard Zhang (Yale School of Medicine) and Chandani Rana explore the challenges faced by first-generation international students and how postsecondary institutions can better support them. The authors explain that these students must navigate the intersecting challenges of being international students and being first-generation students, which means they do not have implicit awareness of either the cultural or higher education norms they are navigating. They recommend supporting this unique community by bringing international and first-generation student offices together for joint workshops, offering resources on cultural norms, and providing joint mentorship initiatives. “De-siloing support services and addressing intersectional stressors enhances colleges’ economic gain, campus life, and proximity to true health equity,” conclude Zhang and Rana.
