Anyone can experience hunger, yet there is a common misconception that international students are immune to basic needs insecurity. The reality is that international students face unique challenges that can make them particularly vulnerable and limit their ability to access support services.
Myth #1
“All international students are wealthy so they don’t experience hunger.”
Many assume that all international students are financially secure and do not experience basic needs insecurity, but research shows this is not true for a significant portion of students in the U.S. Studies find that international students often have higher rates of food insecurity compared with their peers, with roughly one in four reporting they lack reliable access to enough food. Factors like high tuition, living costs, limited access to federal aid, and other barriers contribute to this reality.
Myth #2
“International students can just work to cover living expenses.”
This idea is misleading because international students face strict limits on how and when they can work. For example, students on F-1 visas are generally limited to on-campus work of up to 20 hours per week during the academic term and must have special authorization for almost any off-campus work. As a result, many international students find that the limited hours they can legally work are not enough to cover tuition, housing, food, and other basic expenses—especially in higher-cost cities. In fact, among the general population of students, 22.8% of those who work 20 hours a week report still experiencing food insecurity.
Myth #3
“International students just need to adjust culturally.”
This mindset mistakenly treats food insecurity as a personal issue instead of a structural problem. International students often face limited availability of familiar foods, language barriers, and support systems that are not designed with their needs in mind. Many students are also uncertain whether accessing support services could affect their immigration status and enrollment, which creates fear and discourages engagement. By framing hunger as a matter of “cultural adjustment,” this myth slows progress towards more inclusive, accessible programming.
When international students are considered in basic needs programming, campuses can address gaps in support and create lasting change. Providing accessible, culturally relevant resources empowers students to thrive. To explore practical tools and strategies to support international students on your campus watch the International Students Swipe Session and read the Supporting International Students Guide.
Written by Jazmin Lopez, Asset & Content Manager
