Studying Abroad in English: 5 Language Challenges You Don’t Expect

Studying abroad is an exciting adventure. For many students, it’s also their first time studying in English full time. You may have prepared for months, passed IELTS or TOEFL, and feel ready to go. But once university begins, you might discover that academic life in English brings challenges you weren’t expecting.

Here are five of the most common ones:

1. Understanding Fast Lectures

Listening to a teacher in a classroom is one thing; following a university lecture is another. Professors often speak quickly, use specialist terms, and move from one idea to the next without pausing. Even strong students sometimes struggle to take notes and keep up. This can be frustrating, but it’s normal — academic listening takes practice. Recording lectures (if allowed), reviewing slides, and comparing notes with classmates can make a big difference.

2. Participating in Discussions

In many universities, especially in the UK and US, students are expected to speak up in seminars and group work. This can feel intimidating if English isn’t your first language. You might have great ideas but hesitate to share them, worried about grammar or pronunciation. Remember: fluency comes with use. Start small — ask a question, summarise a point, or agree with someone. The more you practice, the easier it gets to contribute with confidence.

3. Writing Academic Essays

You may be surprised at how different academic writing in English is compared to exam essays. At university, it’s not enough to write correct sentences. You need to build an argument, use evidence from research, and organise your ideas logically. This takes time to learn, even for native speakers. International students who invest early in developing their academic writing skills gain an advantage — not only passing assignments but excelling throughout their degree.

4. Reading Large Amounts of Material

One of the biggest surprises for new students is the sheer volume of reading. Academic articles and textbooks use dense language, long sentences, and complex structures. Even if you know the vocabulary, it can feel overwhelming to read hundreds of pages each week. Developing strategies like skimming, scanning, and active note-taking will help you manage the workload without feeling lost.

5. Adapting to Different Academic Cultures

Studying abroad is not only about language — it’s also about expectations. Plagiarism rules, citation styles, group work dynamics, or even how you email a professor may be very different from what you’re used to. Understanding these “academic cultures” is just as important as mastering English. Knowing the rules early on saves you stress and helps you feel more confident in your new environment.

These challenges can feel overwhelming at first, but you’re not alone. Every student, international or not, needs time to adapt to academic English. The key is to treat these obstacles as part of the learning journey. With practice, support, and the right strategies, you’ll turn them into strengths.

By Justyna @ Kampuz English