University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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6 O7 Yearbook Small World Big Dyjferences the arrival of new, international students two weeks before classes start for eveiyone else, a significant segment of students must adjust to culture shocks that Kansans, and more specifically, Americans take for granted. One segment of this group often gathers eveiy night at the second-floor lobby of McCollum Hall. Students play ping pong, do their homework, and shoot pool. Some of the students Iind Lawrence to be a quiet, friendly community, especially compared to the great crowd of humanity that they observe in their own hometowns. It is certainly easy to understand this, because some of our international students are from India, which has a population approaching l billion. Another big adjustment that some students must make is to the campus food choices, especially when they must observe religious restrictions on eating. For Islamic students, the month of Ramadan, which began on Sept. 24 and lasted until Oct. 23, requires fasting from sunrise to sunset so that observers remember the less fortunate. This causes problems, because sunset during this period in Kansas comes after 7 pm, but Mrs. E's closes at 7:30. Therefore, if a student is unlucky, he or she could totally miss dinner. But KU Dining Services has made arrangements so that, if a student is fasting, to-go meals can be assembled for them to eat in their rooms. Late-night hours also accompany the meal- equivalency option.

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A Home K Coming Q Away F rom Home Cornelia Becker presses snooze twice before getting out of bed. She grabs a quick breakfast, her backpack and Jayhawks sweatshirt before heading off to class. Comelia may sound like a typical Kansas student, but she has spent the last 20 years of her life in Mauchenheim, Germany. Comelia, a graduate student in biology and English, is just one of many international students who call the University of Kansas home. In the spirit of Homecoming, it only seems right to look at what home means to Jayhawks from all around the world. Here at the University, Homecoming offers a time of reuniting and reminiscing for Kansas alurmii. It also gives current students time to reflect on the transition to their new home in Lawrence, but for more than 1,500 international students the picture is much different. Mutsa Kajese, a senior from Harare, Zimbabwe, came from a community-based culture. He has found that the University is one of the few places that has that same feel. Kajese was studying at Baker University, but said he longed for a bigger school with greater opportunities. As a pre-med student, Kajese said he was also enticed by the University's dynamic medical program. The Universityls appeal attracts students from all over the globe, but adjusting to college culture can be overwhelming especially in a whole new country. To help international students acclimate to the Lawrence lifestyle, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services offers a range of UDK l0!5 Page O14 The J ayhawker O6 O7 Year-book 1 services for International Students, including an international student orientation program offered each semester. Viviana Yaluk, ISSS Cultural Program coordinator, helps mn a Lawrence Friendship Family program, matching students with local families to build cultural understanding and adjustment through friendships. Through ISSS, students also get a chance to speak with local schools and University classes about their respective country. ISSS and the University hope to be the bridge between cultures, allowing international students to feel more at home in Lawrence. There is no better time to feel right at home and get a feel for Kansas spirit than Homecoming week. As thousands of people unite for the football game, Todor Gogov, a junior from Bulgaria, will think of a different kind of futbol. While he loves the friendly people of Lawrence, he longs for gathering with friends to watch soccer in Bulgaria. Adjusting to American culture has its challenges, but the welcoming atmosphere of Kansas Homecoming eases the transition. Homecoming has different meanings for different people. Some use it as a time to reconnect with friends, others to work frantically all night on a float, and still others use it as an excuse to pass out before noon. No matter what your plans are, take some time to reliect on what KU means to you. Homecoming for alumni has become an international event, uniting Jayhawks from around the globe.