Stress: A harsh reality of international students

Dear Sir/Madam,

My letter aims to bring your attention to a generally overlooked matter of safety on campus. With your visionary leadership, I believe that this is a subject that will not bypass your desk without the due attention it deserves. While Boise State University has a good reputation as an institution of tertiary education, there is still room for improvement when it comes to dealing with the interests of international students. The world-class educational facilities at Boise State are not complemented by a world-class response to the mental troubles of foreign students. Instead, the response is largely unethical.

Although I am a sympathetic individual, I have run out of patience, having witnessed my peers dealing with mental issues that have not been accorded the proper attention. Worse still, the short time it takes for the mental state of the affected students to deteriorate raises further concern on the matter. The uncertainty of a new environment, being bombarded with a new set of values and beliefs, the constant pressure to maintain good grades, and unfavorable U.S. policies are some of the reasons that can be cited as major stressors of international students. With research showing that the issues of international students are traditionally overlooked, there is a need for Boise State University to break this barrier and demonstrate its care of international students through ethically supported plans.

I have written a detailed letter (link below) outlining how BSU can address this issue. In the letter, I made use of a practical ethical framework, The Four-Way Test, which acts as a guide to professional and personal relationships. With its four guiding principles, the Four-Way Test presents a possible ethical approach that Boise State can use to justify the actions taken in dealing with the mental health issues bedeviling international students. Since Boise State University is an institution that promotes diversity, equality, and inclusion, adopting the solutions presented in the letter would be a great way to demonstrate a commitment to these values.

The solutions I proposed in my letter can be applied when adopting a raft of corrective measures that will make life as exciting and enjoyable as it is for other students on campus. In my full letter attached below, I suggest and discuss in detail the promotion of proactive mental health care, reevaluation of course material to alleviate academic stress, and running awareness campaigns on mental health. Even though I admit that it can be very challenging, I will still be optimistic, and I hope that you will take effective actions in resolving these issues.

Sincerely,

Nabil Rahman

Class of 2020

Computer Science Major

Honors College

Boise State University