International students at Southern Methodist University form approximately 12 percent of the student body.

The university receives students from all corners of the world. The largest pull is from China, Saudi Arabia and India.

Though these students come from different countries, many want the “American Dream.”

And just like any American, they also come across obstacles to make that happen.

The obstacles include homesickness, unemployment, lack of transportation, language barriers and lack of ethnic
food options.

Saleh Jaffrani, a 23-year-old junior, is one such student. He hails from Karachi, Pakistan and travelled to the United States in 2010.

Jaffrani says he struggles with homesickness on a daily basis. He says he misses his friends and the food his mother used to make for him. He also misses celebrating festivals like Eid al-Fitr.

“Festivals are more enjoyable back home,” Jaffrani said, since he has friends and family to celebrate them with.

When trying to cope with homesickness, the time difference between the U.S. and the native country of international students can be a hurdle.

Jaffrani says he likes to Skype with his parents when he’s feeling homesick. But because of the time difference, he can only do that once a week and does it over the weekend.

Jaffrani also cooks ethnic food as a way to deal with homesickness.

International students also struggle to find employment in the U.S.

A document issued by the SMU International Student and Scholar Services states, “on campus employment is limited [for] international students as [they] are not eligible for work-study jobs.”

International students are on the F-1 student visa, which does not allow students to work off campus. Therefore, international students must find an on-campus job. Also, as per the visa restrictions, they can only work up to 20 hours a week.

“Job opportunities are less [for international students],” Jaffrani said.

While international students struggle to find on-campus employment, they also struggle to find authentic ethnic food options.

“I miss Mexican food a lot. There’s something about the homemade Mexican food,” said Michelle Hammond, a 20-year-old international student from Mexico.

International students also face problems finding food options that are accepted by their religion.

For example, many international students who are Muslim like Jaffrani prefer to eat Zabiha Halal meat, which is similar to kosher meat. However, it is not readily available in Dallas.

Another problem that Dallas poses to these students is transportation.

Many international students struggle to get to school or around the city, as they cannot afford to buy a car right away when they come to the U.S.

“I didn’t have a car until the second semester of my sophomore year. It was a hassle,” Hammond said.

Although students have the option of public transportation, they say it can be time-consuming.

“Having a car [in Dallas] is necessary. [It] does not matter which kind,” Jaffrani said.

As difficult as getting around Dallas can be, asking for directions can also be a problem for those international students who are not native English speakers.

While many students like Jaffrani grew up learning English in their native countries, students like Saud Ali Altamimi, a graduate student from Saudi Arabia, have a harder time.

“When I came to U.S., I did not speak English at all,” Altamimi said.

Altamimi started learning the language a year and nine months ago. He said he feels pressured.

“I must improve my English, or I won’t be able to complete my master’s degree in economics,” Altamimi said.

However, because the international students often experience a safer life in the U.S. than the one they left behind, many become inspired to implement social change in their native countries.

“I come from Saudi Arabia where establishing non-governmental organizations is not allowed,” Altamimi said. “I want to change that when I go back to my homeland and make [a] better future for my nation.”

Jaffrani has similar aspirations. He wants to start a business and do social work in Pakistan with the profit his company makes.

Hammond, on the other hand, plans to stay in the U.S. and work as a magazine writer in the future.