Congratulations. You’re living in hard times.

This isn’t sarcasm. They say hard times make the people who change things for the better. Well, looks like we get to find out if that’s true.

The international system is in turmoil. Great power competition is back, and it’s here to stay. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shattered the illusion of stability in Europe. The United States and China are locked in a strategic rivalry, with flashpoints from the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea. North Korea is expanding its nuclear arsenal, and tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high. Conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and beyond highlight the enduring role of military power and remind us that peace is never guaranteed.

Beyond traditional security concerns, nontraditional challenges are growing fast. Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s a disruptive force, accelerating disasters and straining the ability of states to respond. Global economic volatility is rising. Inflation is high, job markets are uncertain, and technological disruption makes long-term planning difficult. Misinformation undermines democratic institutions, political polarization corrodes social cohesion, and governments struggle to manage migration while maintaining stability. The liberal order is under pressure, trust is eroding, and the search for belonging is harder in increasingly nationalistic societies.

So what does all this mean for you? For young people trying to build a future, maybe in a country that isn’t your own, in a language that isn’t your first, under expectations you didn’t set?

It means your path forward will be more uncertain, more competitive, and more demanding than it was for the generations before you.

In a world shaped by great power rivalry, international cooperation is weakening. That makes it harder to count on global stability. If conflict spreads or alliances shift, it can affect everything from exchange programs to where companies choose to invest.

Climate disruption is reshaping economic, social, and physical systems. You’ll face more natural disasters, more displacement of people, and growing instability in food, housing, and job markets.

Economic uncertainty means a university degree no longer guarantees a stable job. Entire industries are evolving or disappearing. AI will replace certain roles completely, and young professionals will need to adapt constantly to stay relevant.

You’re entering a world where trust is low and polarization is high. It’s easier than ever to be misunderstood, harder than ever to build consensus. For international students, that can mean facing suspicion instead of welcome. Travel may be easier, but integration is not. Borders may open, but hearts don’t always follow. Belonging will have to be earned, and it won’t always come easily.

So, you’re stepping into the world at an inflection point; a time of turbulence, unpredictability, and rapid change.

That’s not a curse. It’s a challenge, and one worth accepting.

Hard times force people to adapt. They make you creative. Tougher. More focused. The choices you make now will shape your confidence, skills, and values, and you’ll carry that strength into the future.

That’s why I believe these times, hard as they are, are full of possibility. And if you’re wondering how to move forward, I have three suggestions for making the most of this moment.

First, don’t be afraid.

There will be discomfort, being in a new environment, surrounded by strangers, sometimes sick, more often lonely. Still, choose the hard path every time. Take that tough course everyone avoids. Enter the speech contest you can’t possibly win. Travel where you can’t read the signs. That’s where you’ll find yourself. That’s where you learn to adapt and thrive. That’s where you build the experience that makes you unique and unstoppable.

Second, do what’s right for you.

Sometimes people or circumstances will push you to do what’s easier, or what’s expected. I believe that instead, choosing your own path, even when the world frowns and doubts, will make you happier in the end. You’ll make mistakes. Good. They’re yours. Own them, fix them, and move forward. If you walk the path you chose for yourself, you’ll always find a way. The right way. For you.

Third, immerse yourself.

Adapting is hard. Really hard. And when things don’t go your way, it’s tempting to pull back or shut others out. But no one succeeds alone. Meet others halfway. Learn their rules, their language, their rhythm, and people will notice. Some will trust you. A few may even follow your lead. That’s how you find allies. That’s how you build community. Once you become a part of a community, you don’t just adapt – you grow together and give each other hope. And that makes you stronger still.

So yes, the world will challenge you.

Tell it to bring it on. Step up. Stay true. Reach out.

Then take that strength you’ve built and bring the change you want to the world.

 

Iordanka Alexandrova

(School of Liberal Arts / Assistant Professor)