By Queralt Carbo / Staff Writer

International students at Missouri Valley College are balancing the pressure of midterms while staying connected to concerns in their home countries.

Midterm week brings added stress for many students, but for international students, that stress is often compounded by worries about family and friends abroad. Recent developments in Mexico have drawn particular attention from students with ties to the country. 

“Most of the time, it does affect me,” said Melanie Perez, a Mexican student from Missouri Valley. “I try not to think about it, but managing our emotions is important for us as international students.”

Yasuri Castro, another Mexican student, said staying in contact with family has become part of her routine.

“I keep calling my parents every day, just to make sure they’re okay and don’t need anything. It’s hard.”

With these challenges, students have been devising means of juggling their academic demands with their own issues. This has been achievable via their contact with their families, academic schedules and campus resources.

Campus officials have made students aware of support services they can get and particularly during stressful periods like midterms.