University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

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CELEBRATION. Turkish students com- memonite their home countr ' ' s independence day on campus. PAR, ' DE OF FLAGS. Deborah Gussoni, born in Italy, carries the the Stars and Stripes, the tlag of her mother ' s homeland, in the annual Homecoming parade. PHONE HOME. Banu Elibol calls family in her home countn ' of Turkey.

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Students Survive .. Culture Shock UNA photo by Shannon Wells LEARNING THE LANGUAGE. International studcnt t.ikc tutoriiii; order to learn the mechanics of the English language. I • m about to, over vender, carr)- him to Wal-Mart. . ' 11 are phrases that are often heard in casual conversation around the South. For many students at the universi- ty, however, they are unfamihar and not easih- understood. Nearly 200 students at the uni- versity come from over 40 different cultures. They come from countries such as Yugoslavia, Eg) ' pt, Turkey, Poland, Trinidad, Belgium, and more. Language is not the only cultural barrier for these international students. There are many aspects of the American culture that are quite different from what these students are accustomed to. Eating habits constitute one of the major differences from culture to culture. Turkish students eat dinner late at night, around 10 p.m. Brazilians are used to eating healthful, fresh foods. Sergio Russi, a student from Brazil, said, We have a good climate. We can have three crops a year, so our food is alvvavs fresh and healthy. Everv ' countn- has its own way of preparing its food with differ- ent ingredients or spices, but, as Sergio point- ed out, it all depends on where the countn ' is situated and its resources. Another aspect of culture shock is the musical tastes of the students at the uni- versity. The majority of students listen to alternative rock, or country music. Most of the international students, especially the Turkish students, enjoy techno, or dance club music. Most find it difficult to understand how one can listen to alternative, country ' , or rap music. Mying-Shim Kim, a Korean stu- dent, pointed out an interesting difference between American music and the music from his home. Our music doesn ' t have profanirv or sexual phrases. Fashion is an issue everywhere; what ' s in and what ' s out. The fashion state- ments seen around campus are a reflection of the person ' s culture. European and Turkish student s bring with them a little bit of the European style most Florence citizens have seen only in magazines. One particular differ- ence in fashion is in shoes. Sebastian Calisto said, Here, people wear tennis shoes everv day. In Ecuador, we wear them when we need to, like when playing sports. It was also pointed out as somewhat surprising that many students dress up for a football game, but wear socks and sandals to a party. International students find many cul- tural barriers in the U.S. Someone may offer to fix dinner for them, but who broke it? When they don ' t understand the English idioms, they are expected to read between the lines. Many students are confused at first, but catch on quickly, and soon become an integral part of the university ' s cultural diversi- ty-. Culture shock is a learning experi- ence for students who find themselves sub- mersed in a culture different from their own. It is making the best of living a foreign life. by Anne Beam 14

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NOISES OFF... wkai i2 ikmkti} CAUGHT RED-HANDED. Actor Rick Richc caught by fclltnv perform- ers in Noises Off. DRAMATIS PERSON AE. bottom of page) The cast of Noises O portrays the cast ot Nothing On, while bringing all of their personal lives to the stage. Cast List Dotty Otley Kim Fuller Lloyd Dallas Steven Gross Garry Lejeune B.D. Peace Brooke Ashton Ashley Miles Poppy Norton Taylor Macey Baggett Jenny C. Simpson Frederick Fellows Rick Richey Belinda Blair Kelly Ecklund Tim Allgood Mark Spencer Hampton Selsdon Mowbray Collin Martin Understudy Brian D ' Herde