Dissertation Challenges and Life Hacks for International Students

1. Language Barriers and Academic Writing Style

Challenge:

• Most students studying abroad at universities, even if they have advanced English language skills in writing, have difficulty writing specifically to the academic writing standards required at universities abroad. Academic English, for the most part, requires precision, critical thinking, and elaborate processes to communicate complex ideas, none of which can be achieved overnight.

Life Hacks:

• Read a couple of dissertations and journals published in many ways by your university to get a sense of the structure and tone of the context.
• Use writing programs or websites like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, and QuillBot to “fix your rough drafts” so you focus on the content or quality of the paper, and only once that is complete, then fix the rough draft with the writing programs.
• Attend programs or workshops related to academic writing for international students offered at universities abroad.
• Be sure to ask your dissertation supervisor to share examples of dissertations that reflect quality in your field.

2. Cultural Variations in Academic Expectations.

Challenge:

• Different countries approach academic work differently. In many universities abroad, you are expected to think critically, analyse independently, and construct a new argument – not only summarise the existing research on the topic with a brief introduction.

Life Hacks:

• Consult with your supervisor early about what you are expected to accomplish in your dissertation. 
• Attend research methodology and academic skills workshops! Most universities abroad offer these workshops for international students.
• Don’t be shy about asking questions or for clarification about the feedback you receive – professors appreciate students who engage in dialogue with them.

3. Selecting the Appropriate Topic and Scope

Challenge:

• Choosing a dissertation topic that is original, feasible, and pertinent can be difficult when studying in a new academic system. 

Life Hacks:

• Keep up with the current trends by reading publications that have come from your field of study recently. 
• Share your ideas with your supervisor or research group. 
• Select a topic that excites you because this will keep you motivated, which is particularly important when studying far away from home. 
• Remember to select a topic for which there are a reasonable number of resources/research materials available at the university when studying abroad.

4. Time Management and Balancing School Responsibilities

Challenge: 

• International students often must combine research, part-time work, and settling into a new location. It can be overwhelming to juggle all these things while also trying to finish a dissertation. 

Life Hacks: 

• Utilise productivity apps (Trello, Notion, Google Calendar) to outline milestones.
• Divide your project into small, manageable goals.
• Implement the Pomodoro method to deliver focus and balance.
• Just remember — your early draft doesn’t have to be perfect. Write first, revise later. 

5. Limited Access to Data and Research Resources

Challenge:

• At some institutions abroad, students may find it difficult to access local data, libraries, or the recruitment of survey respondents. 

Life hacks:

• Take advantage of your University’s digital libraries and databases like Research Prospect or ProQuest.
• Go to your networking contacts with peers and professors to find appropriate contacts or research participants.
• If fieldwork goes poorly, consider using secondary data or conducting online research.

6. Emotional Stress and Homesickness

Challenge: 

• Dissertation writing can be lonely while abroad – you are away from family, dealing with pressure, and engaging with a new culture.

Life Hacks: 

• Keep in touch with friends and family by regularly calling.
• Join student organisations or international clubs at your university.
• Take regular breaks, exercise, and develop a comfortable daily routine.
• It also doesn’t hurt to contact the student counselling services you may find at universities abroad – they are there to help.

7. Communication with Supervisors

Challenge: 

• Cultural differences can play a role in your communication. For example, some supervisors at universities abroad expect discipline with little guidance, while others prefer a close level of support.

Life Hacks: 

• Set up a regular check-in time with your supervisor.
• Josh had a very specific example about this. Before each meeting, make a list of questions you want to ask the supervisor.
• After each meeting, you could summarise your meeting in an email, so there is no confusion.
• Be assertive, while also being respectful. It’s appropriate to take ownership of your project, and you should be encouraged to do so.

Conclusion

Studying abroad brings both unique challenges and incredible opportunities. Writing a dissertation in a foreign academic environment may test your patience and adaptability, but it also strengthens your research skills, independence, and confidence.

With good time management, strong communication, and the right mindset, you can turn this demanding task into a rewarding milestone. Remember, your dissertation is not just an academic paper; it’s proof that you can succeed in a global academic setting.

Frequently Asked Questions