HOMEPAGE | BBC NEWS | SPORT Contact Us | Help | Text Only
HEALTH FAMILY PROBLEMS RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION & CAREER Dear What’s the Problem I am a Chinese girl who has moved to Holland to study my degree there. I find my course very stressful - particularly the exams. However, to add to this stress I feel that my fellow students do not take me seriously because they always seem to be making fun of me. They treat me like a little toy and take every opportunity to have a laugh at my expense. I sometimes I feel like I can’t carry on, and now wish I had stayed in China to study. I don’t know what to do. Please can you help me? Junjun Chen, China. Advice: Tricia Krietman (Counsellor) Bullying can sometimes be very subtle but this does not make it any less cruel. And emotional bullying can be extremely upsetting. It seems that the people who are bullying you are not even aware they are hurting you. But don’t worry, you can deal with this. Just don’t be discouraged from staying in Holland. You have the right to stay and complete your studies. Here are some practical steps you can take to combat the teasing: *Go and see a student counsellor to make sure that you are justified in feeling upset. *Talk to a close friend for support. *When your colleagues tease you, stand up to them and say you don’t want them to do this. This will probably shock them and prevent them from repeating it. It will also make them aware that they are hurting you and they may decide to behave differently in future. Don’t get angry or stressed - just be confident. The What's the Problem? website is providing general information only. It should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the What's the Problem? website. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.		FURTHER INFORMATION   More Advice: *Join a society for international students at your college *This will give you the opportunity to meet people from a large variety of backgrounds and perhaps you will meet other Chinese students too *Above all, be confident and question anyone who decides to make fun of you    INTERNET LINKS Online Counselling   The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites