Nigerian content creator Chioma shares her experiences as an international student and emphasizes the need for international students to prioritize their health and well-being.
She talks about how she knew three international students who died while they were studying. Two of the students were Nigerian and one was from another African country. One of the students who passed away was a social work student at the same school Chioma attended. Chioma says that despite not knowing these students personally, their deaths highlight the importance of well-being for international students.
Chioma reflects on her own experience as an international student and admits that she did not take care of herself. She describes experiencing health issues, including chest pain, hematuria (blood in the urine), excessive hair growth, and skin tags. She says that she ignored these symptoms and did not seek medical attention. Chioma emphasizes that international students should prioritize their health and well-being.
She encourages students to make use of the resources available at their universities such as counsellors, academic advisors, and pastoral care units. She also suggests that international students find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as developing hobbies and taking self-care days. Wangui, an international student based in Melbourne, expresses that managing her responsibilities as a student can become overwhelming. She acknowledges that the demands of her academic pursuits and employment commitments often leave little room for self-care.
Wangui finds herself struggling to recollect the last occasion when she prioritized her well-being. Her routine involves juggling classes, assignments, and early morning work shifts, frequently necessitating sleepless nights to meet academic deadlines. This hectic lifestyle poses challenges in maintaining a balanced and healthy approach to her overall well-being.
