Before we dive into this week's newsletter, I want to wish you a Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

If this is your first Labor Day in the United States, you might be wondering why everyone is talking about a three-day weekend! Labor Day is a U.S. holiday that celebrates the contributions and achievements of American workers, and for many people, it’s also a chance to slow down, spend time with friends and family, and enjoy the unofficial end of summer.

Whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure, having a barbecue with friends, catching up on sleep, or simply enjoying a quiet day, I hope you took a moment to appreciate all the work you're putting in to your future and how far you’ve come. Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

A month ago, America was still mostly an idea.

You were preparing for your flight, buying things you weren't sure you'd need, saying goodbye to family and friends, and trying to imagine what your life would look like here.

Now, you're living it.

You know your way around campus. You've probably discovered a grocery store you like, figured out your class schedule, and learned that "How are you?" is often more of a greeting than an invitation to explain how you're actually doing.

But this is also around the time when the newness begins to wear off. The excitement of arrival settles into a routine. Classes get more demanding. The practical challenges of living in another country become more obvious. And for many international students, homesickness starts to feel a little different.

Maybe you're not thinking about home every minute anymore. Instead, it catches you unexpectedly, a phone call with your parents, a photo from a family gathering, the smell of something familiar at an Indian grocery store, or simply realizing that you can't just go home for dinner on Friday night.

This stage is normal. In fact, we wish more students knew that feeling a little unsettled after the first month doesn't mean you're not adjusting well. It means you're adjusting. Give yourself some time.

And while you're finding your footing, here are a few things we wish every international student knew.

You don't have to make friends with everyone. You just need to find a few people with whom you can be yourself.

Friendships in the U.S. may develop differently than they did back home. You might not automatically become close friends with the people sitting next to you in class. You may have to initiate plans more often than you're used to. Ask someone to grab lunch after class. Join a student organization. Go to an event even if you don't know anyone there. Say yes when someone invites you somewhere.

And don't underestimate repeated interactions. Seeing the same people every week is often how familiarity turns into friendship. At the same time, don't feel like you have to abandon your Indian community in order to "fit in." Staying connected with other Indian students, joining cultural organizations, visiting a local temple or gurdwara, or finding a nearby Indian community can provide a sense of familiarity while you're building your life in the U.S.

You can have both. You can build relationships with Americans and students from other countries while still staying connected to people who understand where you came from.

You may also discover that communication in America takes some getting used to. People may smile at you in an elevator. A professor may have you call them by their first name. Someone you barely know may ask about your weekend. A classmate may disagree with your idea and then ask if you want to get coffee afterward.

These interactions can feel confusing when you're still learning the social rules. Try not to overanalyze them. American communication often values openness, directness, and informality, particularly in academic and professional settings. That doesn't mean every person communicates the same way, but you'll likely find that speaking up, asking questions, and expressing your opinions are encouraged.

You don't need to change who you are. You simply need to learn how to communicate effectively in your new environment. The same is true when it comes to money.

The first month is often when students realize that the cost of living isn't just tuition and rent. There are groceries, transportation, phone bills, laundry, school supplies, eating out, subscriptions, and all those little purchases that somehow seem insignificant until you look at your bank account.

Now is a good time to start paying attention. You don't need a complicated financial system. Just know what comes in, what goes out, and what you're spending more money on than you expected. And remember that being financially responsible doesn't mean never having fun. It means making sure your money isn't disappearing without you noticing.

Your health deserves the same kind of attention. The adjustment to American food, a new class schedule, less sleep, colder weather in some parts of the country, and the stress of adapting to a new environment can all take a toll.

Don't wait until you're exhausted to start taking care of yourself. Learn how your university's health services work. Find out where you can go if you're sick. Keep up with medications you need. Eat actual meals. Get some exercise. And, as difficult as it can be during a busy semester, protect your sleep. You are trying to build a successful academic and professional life. Your body is the thing carrying you through it.

And then there is culture shock. It may not look the way you expected. Sometimes culture shock isn't feeling angry or overwhelmed. Sometimes it's simply being tired of figuring things out. Why does this form need to be completed? Why does nobody understand what I mean by this phrase? Why is everyone asking me what I'm doing this weekend? Why does making a doctor's appointment feel like a project?

You are learning thousands of tiny cultural rules that Americans learned gradually over many years. Be patient with yourself. One of the best things you can do is observe without immediately judging. Pay attention to how people communicate, how professors interact with students, how coworkers socialize, how people handle disagreement, and how friendships develop.

You don't have to adopt everything you encounter. But understanding it will make navigating your new environment much easier.

And please don't underestimate small wins. Your first successful grocery trip. Figuring out the bus system. Making your first American friend. Cooking a meal in your apartment. Getting a good grade on your first exam. Having a professor remember your name. Going somewhere by yourself and realizing you're comfortable doing it.

These things may not seem important enough to celebrate, but they are. They are evidence that you are becoming more capable and more independent. And if you're having a difficult day, look back at how much you've already learned in just one month. You know things now that you didn't know four weeks ago. That matters.

Most importantly, remember that you don't have to choose between missing home and enjoying your new life.

You can call your parents and then go out with your new friends. You can celebrate Diwali with your Indian community and attend your university's holiday events. You can cook ghar ka khana one night and try something completely new the next. Staying connected to home doesn't prevent you from belonging here. It can actually give you the foundation you need to build something new.

One month in, you are not supposed to have everything figured out. You're supposed to still be learning. You're supposed to have questions. You're supposed to make a few mistakes. And you're supposed to slowly begin turning an unfamiliar place into your new home.

So take a moment to recognize what you've already accomplished. You left your country. You started school in a new environment. You're navigating a different culture. And you're building a life thousands of miles from the people and places you know best.

That's a pretty significant accomplishment for one month.

Cheers ☕