FEATURE
dress up for class, while women must wear abayahs (robes) and hijabs (head scarves) in public or where men are present.
In Saudi Arabia, Islam permeates throughout Saudi culture and affects the lifestyles of those who live there. Saudi international students like ALmutairi bring aspects of their culture to KU. ALmutairi says almost all Saudi female students at KU continue to wear hijabs, including his wife, who has joined him at the University.
Although Saudi culture differs from American and Jayhawk culture, ALmutairi says he has felt comfortable here since he arrived in May of 2008, partly due to the large population of Saudi students at KU, which totals 143 students. He's also involved with and serves as president of the Saudi Student Association at KU.
ALmutariy says he took the position because he wants KU students to know more about Saudi Arabia. He says he believes American misconceptions about his country are that all Saudis ride camels and live in tents in the desert. His goal is to inform them that Saudis have the same technology and education as America. He is also concerned about Saudi Arabia's lack of media coverage in America.
The pride ALmutairi has for his home country remains strong. He plans to return to Saudi Arabia after he graduates to help his country and community. But he also admires the American way of life. "I wish I could split myself and live in both places at once," he says.
UNDERSTANDING THROUGH LANGUAGE AND FRIENDSHIP
Slang phrases and unfamiliar vocabulary of native English speakers are often difficult for Rei Tsutahara to understand. Tsutahara is a Japanese exchange student studying at KU for the fall semester. The Tokyo senior wanted to study in America to improve her English skills to become an English teacher in Japan.
The Applied English Center (AEC) is a resource for international students that helpsTsutahara and other non-native English speakers improve their English skills. When international students arrive at KU, they must take an English-language proficiency assessment to determine whether or not they are ready for University courses. Margaret Coffey, AEC associate director and senior language specialist, says the center's primary mission is to improve international students' English skills for academic purposes.
If the results from the assessment test
show that students still need English language improvement, AEC enrolls them in the center's classes to improve their English skills. Students must complete these classes before they can take classes through the University; however, depending on individual assessment results, AEC permits some students to take both AEC classes and University classes in the same semester. For example, Tsutahara is taking one AEC class and three University classes.
Tsutahara says it has been easy for her to adjust to this new environment because the University understands international students. Apart from AEC, the International Student and Scholar Services also assists the KU international community by providing admissions, advising, programming and referral services. Michael Ediger from ISSS says "The most important thing we do is give students a connection to the University."
While Tsutahara has been adapting well, she says other Japanese students do not feel as
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE DO IS GIVE STUDENTS A CONNECTION TO THE UNIVERSITY.
comfortable. She says Japanese students are not as outgoing as American students — they tend to wait to be spoken to rather than initiate conversation. Such conversations may be difficult because of varying English-speaking levels, but she says Japanese students wish American students would make the effort to talk to them more.
MICHAEL EDIGER
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADVISING
AND ORIENTATION FOR ISSS.
MICHAEL EDIGER
Ediger says students with a large number of others from their home country may be less inclined to adapt at KU. With 88 international students here, Japanese students may feel more comfortable associating only with those from their home country, thereby isolating themselves from interacting with others outside of their native culture.
To encourage friendships among various international student groups and domestic students, ISSS hosts international student orientation at the beginning of each semester. International students and student volunteers unite to ease the transition to KU, and bond over being strangers in a foreign land. Ediger says many students make lasting friendships, and even walk down the hill with one another at graduation.
Tsutahara attended orientation and says she has made friends, although she won't walk down the hill with them because she is going back to Japan at the end of the semester. "I'm very sad when I imagine my last day in Kansas," she says. "I'm sure I will cry."
Photo illustration by Chris Neal
Saudi style: As he has adapted to college culture, Hejab ALmatairi prefers to dress more casually than he would in his home country of Saudi Arabia. There, men dress up for class and women wear robes and head scarves in public.
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR BOTH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND DOMESTIC STUDENTS.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION (USA)
ISA merges all of the nationalities represented on the KU campus to promote international friendships and cultural appreciation. The organization hosts a variety of social events throughout the academic year, including a Halloween party During the Spring semester, ISA hosts a week of international awareness programs culminating in a Festival of Nations, which features talents and fashions from around the world.
LAWRENCE FRIENDSHIP FAMILY PROGRAM The community-based program matches participating international students with local families and individuals. It is an opportunity to develop friendships and promote cross-cultural understanding through occasional meals and organized social activities. Special events include picnics, game nights, pot luck dinners, ice cream socials and an annual square dance.
SMALL WORLD
Small World is a not-for-profit, volunteer community organization for non-student female spouses of KU international students, faculty and scholars who wish to improve their English and learn about American customs.
GLOBAL PARTNERS
Global Partners pairs international students and domestic students for a cultural and social exchange and provides social, service and academic opportunities. The program matches students based on interests, academic majors and languages.
BETTY GRIMWOOD THANKSGIVING
HOMESTAY PROGRAM
Named to honor the person who initiated the program more than 50 years ago, the homestay program is an opportunity for international students to experience this very traditional American holiday either by staying with area host families for the entire Thanksgiving break or by joining them for the holiday dinner.
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tes: Right of KU date in four percent years, both theonal aver-
and gradualier this year.ember, her task several ways to und graduation isity. Its report early advising updated general education requirements, raising admission standards and increased student engagement.
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ENDOWMENT
Donations increase despite economy
"It's very desirable to reduce the requirement and get it in overall average," improving our
Struttman was one of more than 6,500 students to receive scholarships last year from the association. In the 2010 fiscal year, which ended June 30, it gave $28.9 million in scholarships as part of the $110.2 million it donated to the University.
Dale Seuflering, the president of the Endowment Association, said
graduation rate is an important goal."
Struttman, a sophomore from Topeka, was given the financial support by the privately-funded Chancellors Club, which awards renewable scholarships to 16 National Merit finalists each year. The club helps recruit top-performing students to the University.
BY STEPHEN GRAY
"Thanks to this scholarship, I don't have to have a job and I don't have to worry about a huge debt hanging over my head after graduation." Struttman said.
sgray@kansan.com
Gray-Little said one of the first things she noticed when she came to the University last year was its unusually high requirement for graduation. The requirement was set at 124 in 2003 and had not been altered until now.
When Evy Struttman received the e-mail that she was going to receive a $20,000 scholarship through the Kansas University Endowment Association last year, she knew immediately that the University of Kansas was the place for her.
In addition to student scholarships, the association funds salaries for distinguished professors, teaching awards and academic programs. It also provides facilities and equipment for the University. In fact, the association has helped to fund more than two-thirds of campus buildings and 85 percent of its land.
According to Giving USA, an annual report on philanthropy in the United States, contributions to higher education in 2009 declined by 3.6 percent. The Endowment Association was an exception to this trend and had record contributions for the third year in a row. Seuferling credited the desire of the University's alumni and the hard work of the fundraising staff for this accomplishment.
students could benefit from scholarships, fellowships and awards through the association.
"With the funding cuts faced by KU due to the reduction in state support, private giving has become even more critical to the University's future," Seufler said.
Cathy Daicoff, a managing director at Standard and Poor's in New York City, graduated from the University in 1977. She was one of
KU ENDOWMENT FUNDRAISING
Fiscal year Contributions Number of donors
2010 $110.2 million 45,192
2009 $106.4 million 45,186
2008 $94 million 45,014
2007 $77.7 million 43,403
This year, more than 6,500 students received scholarships from KU Endowment funds. The total amounted to $28.9 million.
"The University of Kansas provided me with a superior education," Daicoff said. "I believe we all have a responsibility to make that same education possible for other individuals in the next generation."
implement the rule
Edited by Lisa Curran
the 45,192 donors last year for the University. Daicoff has been donating for more than 25 years and gives to two causes, the Chancellors Club and a scholarship fund in memory of her father, Darwin Daicoff, a former economics professor at the University.
Edited by Lisa Curran
Student wins award for his recycling efforts
Nick Benson will be given the Student Sustainability Leadership Award for his program that recycles old printer ink cartridges.
AWARD|3A
Jesse Flax, a freshman from Bison, said he was in favor of the change.
This reduction was one of the many recommendations given by Chancellor Bernadette Gray-
"That will mean less classes that wed have to take and more money saved." Flax said.
INSIDE | The Wave
Marcus Morris emerges from camp a vocal leader
With the notable absence of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich. Marcus Morris has made many improvements this season, including taking on a leadership role with the Jayhawks. Morris' fellow players are looking to him for support.
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