Adapting Across Cultures at Texas A&M: International Student Details Journey Adjusting to Life as an Aggie

International students offer a unique perspective on the Aggie experience- one that broadens the community’s understanding of culture and society. Ph.D. candidate and international student Aakash Kumar describes his journey through three words: unfreezing, adapting and refreezing. These three stages come from Kurt Lewin’s change model, which Kumar used to make sense of his own transition to life in the United States. From struggling with pronunciation and anxiety to excelling in a new language and feeling comfortable in unfamiliar places, Kumar cemented his understanding of both cultures.

Note: The terms unfreezing, adapting and refreezing come from Kurt Lewin’s change model. Unfreezing occurs when someone ‘thaws out’ their identity and leaves space for incoming and outgoing personal adaptation to a new experience. Adapting is the change being accepted, and refreezing is solidifying, with a new understanding of oneself and the culture around them- this is the final step in acclimation.

Kumar used his experience adapting to Western culture to write a dissertation that dissects the changes he made to assimilate while maintaining his own identity.

“When I was dealing with the culture shock and anxiety in my first semester, in my first year, I wanted to find something that would help me,” Kumar said. “And to my astonishment, I could not find anything. And then I said, if I could not find a candle, I must be the candle. That is why I decided to write this article and share my experiences, so if someone is coming after me feeling the same experiences, going through the same anxiety, they have someone to look to for reassurance.”

Kumar’s utilization of the Kurt Lewin’s change model effectively described the stages of transition that international students go through on campus. He was able to use his own experiences to connect with others and the model while writing his dissertation.

In his paper, he explains his struggles and how each one provided him with examples of unfreezing, adapting and refreezing. One of his first anecdotes describes the culture shock he experienced with language. Although Kumar thought he was fluent enough to communicate easily, he quickly realized that British English differs significantly from American English. He also described how the differences in traffic laws left him confused.

All of these changes pushed Kumar into the ‘unfreezing’ stage – recognizing that his old habits and expectations no longer fit his new environment. Adaptation followed, as he learned to navigate American culture while sharing his own.

“We adapt to the culture here, and we give Western people the opportunity to understand ours,” Kumar said. “It’s about sharing. We come with our stories, we listen to others, and that’s how we grow together.”

After unfreezing and adapting to a new culture, the last step of the process could take place. Kumar was ready to refreeze- to maintain knowledge of both cultures and become a more well-rounded Aggie. 

For students facing similar challenges, campus support systems play a crucial role. International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) offers resources for students navigating health, finances, mental well-being and cultural adjustment.

“ISSS tries to be more intentional about their required and non-required programming. Listen, support, acknowledge international students, be their voices,” program and outreach coordinator Maria Khmelenko said. “We help them find their community and friends through events – so many times I’ve witnessed students exchanging phone numbers and creating WhatsApp groups after Meet and Greets, dance parties, the Global Welcome Party.”

International students play a vital role in strengthening the academic community at Texas A&M University. Their experiences, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds enrich classrooms and research environments across campus.

“International students contribute a lot to academia,” Kumar said. “They bring diversity to academia. They bring different cultures and backgrounds with them. It is a two-way road. Universities also contribute to the growth and the overall improvement of those students.”