8A
KULTURE
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2006
who
> International students live in McCollum Hall
what
> Adjusting to life away from their home counties
when
> During the beginning of their college careers
whv
> To make friends and experience American culture
Vivek Bhandari, Nepal freshman, serves during a friendly game of table tennis with fellow international students Tuesday evening at McCollum Hall. Bhandari and other international students come from all parts of the world, adding diversity and perspective to the student population.
Chris Neal/KANSAN
Foreign students adjust to culture clash
ELIZABETH SCHUBAUER
On most weeknights, a group of international students gather at the second-floor lobby of McCollum Hall.
The students, mostly from Saudi Arabia and India, have found that living in McCollum has given them a chance to interact with and adjust to a culture different from their own.
"The lobby is a good place to meet new people." Vivek Bhandari, Kathmandu, Nepal, freshman said. "We play table tennis, pool and sometimes even do our homework."
Atul Koskile, Raipur, India, sophomore,
admits that he didn't know where Kansas
was before he became a freshman here. He wanted to get out of India, and the University was the least expensive option that had a good engineering program.
Koshley and the other students plan to stay at the University until they earn their degrees, which means that they're in for a more long-term adjustment than students doing only semester- or year-long study abroad programs here.
When the students contrast Lawrence to their hometowns, they often use words like "quiet," "calm" and "friendly."
"There are so many people. It's huge," Koshley said of India.
The students enjoy living here, though.
("There are) lots of nice people I can get
along with," Mohammed AlMari, Al Jabail, Saudi Arabia, freshman, said. "They don't make me feel alone."
A transition period is common among all of the University's new students, but there are a few additional changes that affect international students.
For example, international students have more difficulties adjusting to the food offered on campus. The food at Mrs.Es is not what most international students are used to eating.
Sheryl Kidwell, assistant director of KU Residential Dining, said that menu items are revised every summer and more diverse cuisine was gradually being added.
The Muslim students also struggle with
the times that Mrs. E's is open. Every year, Muslims celebrate the holiday Ramadan by fasting from sunrise to sunset for 30 days.
"You feel hungry, feel thirsty so you remember the poor people," Talal Alsahili, Rivadh, Saudi Arabia, freshman, said.
During the holiday, one isn't supposed to eat until 7:15 p.m., Alsahli said. Mrs. E's 7:30 p.m. closing time makes it difficult to eat a substantial meal there during Ramadan. AIMarri fasted at the University last year and said that by planting ahead he was able to follow the restrictions of the holiday.
Kidwell said that KU Dining works to accommodate international students in need of special meal arrangements.
"In the past we have posted signs asking those students who will be observing the Ramadan holiday to sign up so we can have to-go meals made up for them to take to their rooms," Kidwell said in an e-mail interview.
She also said that the late-night hours that accompany the meal equivalency option have helped solve the problem in recent years.
The international students at McCollum may have a more pronounced culture shock than traditional students, but in many ways they are hanging out in the lobby looking to make new friends just like most other students.
Edited by Mindy Ricketts
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