Many international students do not have the level of English required by the university, therefore, they must take ESL (English as a second language) courses. These courses are extremely useful because you learn how to communicate correctly, which is necessary to carry out your daily activities. If anything, it sets students back because while other students advance in their majors, you continue to learn English. “I have no idea what I will do in chemical engineering since I am still taking English classes. It’s very frustrating, but I guess I need this particular skill in my major,” says Joyce, a student from Rwanda at Michigan State.