International students struggle to keep in contact with family amidst internet outages

Hannah Parker, Content Producer • October 11, 2023

The recent network disruptions make it difficult for international students to reach out to their families.

During the internet outage from this past week, while local and U.S. resident students could use hotspots and their phones’ data, international students were struggling to stay in contact with their families out of the country.

Most international students use numerous messaging apps, such as Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, so they can communicate without a U.S. phone number. Messaging services were a little more difficult to use without internet or Wi-Fi access.

“Every day, I call my family many times in Vietnam, but the internet outage in the last few days has made it more difficult, so I can’t call as often,” first-year business administration major Ngoc (Kim) Nguyen said. “I can still use mobile data, but it’s less stable, and it makes me uncomfortable.”

Several international students were concerned about not having a vehicle or form of transportation to get somewhere to complete their work; however, others were able to connect to the campus Wi-Fi.

“I did not have any difficulties and did not have to leave the campus,” first-year general business major Zeynep Ege said. “I joined the school’s new Wi-Fi network, which solved my problems.”

When students didn’t have access to leaving campus to find internet, they found ways to occupy themselves on campus.

“I took time to meditate or read some books,” first-year general business major Elliot Hoffmann said. “It gave me time to think about me.”

About the Contributors

Hannah Parker, Managing Editor

Hannah Parker is from Arlington, Texas and joined The Rambler in 2023. She is a first generation college student and as Managing Editor, she is excited to help her team and get into the flow of things each semester. Hannah loves listening to music and writing until her hands hurt. She is looking forward to getting to write stories for the Wesleyan community and giving students an opportunity to read about what happens on campus.

Chiara Watson, Editor-in-Chief

Chiara Watson is an international student at Texas Wesleyan University, born and raised in Johannesburg South Africa. As Editor-in-Chief for the Rambler Media Group, she loves the idea of connecting with the students, parents, faculty and staff at Wesleyan through her writing. Chiara loves a good story, whether it comes in the form of a book, film, poem, or song, and is excited to share the stories closest to the hearts and minds of the Texas Wesleyan community.