Physically, we live in Moscow, but we are a part of a bigger and broader world that every student should learn about. That’s just one reason why international students are key to the University of Idaho.
International students decide to study abroad in America to learn and experience new things. These experiences won’t happen without the support of American students, but many American students are less than enthusiastic.
They could have an accent or a different look and dress, but that doesn’t mean international students are different than other UI students — we’re all Vandals, right?
Language is the number one barrier that prevents international students and American students from interacting and communicating. The stereotypical international student has a thick accent, and sometimes mispronounces words.
Accent jokes can be funny, but they can also be hurtful.
Beside their lack of spoken language, most international students are smart. They can speak at least two languages and many times have to adapt to a new culture and lifestyle. Even if they can’t speak English fluently, they must learn college level material along side other American students — who are native speakers.
Most international students are focused on academics, and know their grades will benefit them in the future.
Their intelligence is buried inside due to a difficult language barrier, which often leads most Americans to underestimate international students academically.
But this division is not just in the classroom, but in the UI community as well. Both international and American students do not even care to try to get to know each other. I wonder why. Mixed culture is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever experienced.
Only a minority of international students make friends with Americans, and vice versa. Not the forced ‘hello’ friends you pass by the in the Idaho Commons, but the friends you actively hang out with.
International students, you should make an active effort to make friends with Americans and other students outside of your cultural heritage. Great memories are made when you diversify your friends and open yourself up to new experiences. Give it a try and you will be surprised at how much fun you will have.
Being a college student, you should have an open-mind and accept the differences others have. Not to mention, the world is globalizing faster than ever before, and many of us will have jobs that depend on good communication between several different cultures.
I admit that some international students at UI don’t open themselves to other communities. If they continue to hang out with people from their own countries, they will have wasted a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I promise you, they won’t have any amazing stories to tell to their friends and family back home.
People decide to study abroad for the experience, to meet new people and learn new things like the culture and language. Some people are afraid of being exposed to something new or even someone new. This has to change.
I have been through this experience, and all I can say is that it has been great. But what made it great was getting to know people from all different cultures and backgrounds. I have made tons of memories over the past three years, but it was due to this great diversity of people.
If you want to be involved in the international community — whether you are a international student or not — visit the International Program Office to see what events they are hosting.
Rainy Darono can be reached at [email protected]