Western Kentucky University - Talisman Yearbook (Bowling Green, KY)

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Ab Foreign Students Understanding is often a rare commodity these days, especially between nations. With wars, rebellions and disagreements characterizing much of international rela- tions, it sometimes seems that a little more understanding might be a good idea. Perhaps the key to understanding among nations with differing customs, views and life styles is that the attempt first be made on a smaller scale. If understanding can be ac- complished on a person-to-person basis, then maybe it can progress to higher levels, such as government. Western is itself a kind of international community, on a small scale. The number of foreign students on campus has increased steadily over the past few years. These stu- dents, representing a variety of countries and nationalities, have had to make adjustments to life in the United States. They are not the only ones on campus who have had to adjust to different life styles. There are several American students at Western who have lived for various peri- ods in other countries. They also had to get accustomed to different customs and ways of life. Some of these foreign and American stu- dents were interviewed in an attempt to show the problems they encountered and the adjustments they had to make to life in an “adopted” country. To go alone to a foreign country for schooling without being able to speak a word of the native language is unthinkable for most people, but Toi Chadtarasupt of Bang-. kok, Thailand took that challenge and came to the United States to study. “| knew A, B, C, through Z,” said Toi. “And | knew a few basic words like plate and desk, but other than than | was — you know — lost.” Toi came to live with American friends in Louisville, Ky. before her junior year in high school. Four years later as a junior at WKU, she has no problems with English. Toi said her parents encouraged her to come to America mainly to learn English. As an office administration major, she said she would like to get a job after graduation in her own country where she could use her bilingual talents. Toi’s philosophy of life is to “live day by day.’’ She said she feels a warmness for the people she meets because most of them are friendly. Toi said she has learned much about religion and customs in the United States, but finds it strange that “girls go out on dates so young.” In Thailand they date at age 17 or 18. As a Buddhist, Toi said she always thought of Baptists, Methodists and the other protestant faiths as being one big religion. Now she has learned the differ- ences and finds them “‘interesting. ”’ Toi has traveled to a lot of different areas of the United States, and she said she likes Florida the best. “| hate wintertime because it is so cold that my body can’t stand it. | love Florida — the seafood and the coco- nuts — it is like my country,” said Toi. Bernd Herrmann came from Ger many to the United States with visions of Americans being very relaxed and eating a lot of ket- chup. According to him Americans are in- deed very relaxed although they may not be addicted to ketchup. “Americans just don't take life as seriously as people do in Ger- many, Bernd said. The economics major said in his country everyone wants to study at certain univer- sities, and to do this a student must have high grade point average. “Students are under a lot of stress in Germany,’ Bernd said. “| was pale-faced (meaning he was tired) many days at home, but here I've only been pale-faced once.” He said at home he would stay home and study all day while in the United States he only studies about one half hour per day. “In Germany you can't repeat a class either,’ Bernd added, “but students don't flunk classes there.” Bernd said one of the things which im- pressed him most about the United States was the fact that law and order is such a big thing. “In Germany the police can stop you anywhere you are going, but they are looking at the safety of the car,” he said. ‘They check to see that your tires are in good condition, and that you have enough gas. Here the only thing they ask is if you have marijuana. Toi Chadtarasupt Bernd Herrmann They're always looking for marijuana.” Bernd said he isn't impressed with dorm life. “In my country the girls can live to- gether with the guys,” he said, ‘and you can also drink beer. Here everyone is always talking in the lobby so you can’t even watch television; they have a separate tv room in Germany.” “The biggest surprise | had was seeing how dependent all the students are on their parents,” said Bernd. ‘In Germany the col- lege youth is more independent. Everyone here wants to go home. In Germany, every- One tries to get away from home.” Bernd came to Western mainly to run track, but said he was disappointed with the condition of the track. ‘‘] was used to high standards,” he said, “and they are not nearly as good here.” Of his experiences at Western, Bernd said he enjoyed meeting the people the most. “| would like to run for Adidas as a career,” he said, ‘and if | get to, all the people I've met in America will really help me.” But he added, “| won't live in America all my life, no matter what | do.” Becky Killebrew was a college sopho- more in Washington state when her father was transferred. But it wasn't a routine transfer to lowa or Indiana or Maine, but in- stead to Bangkok, Thailand. Becky had no idea of what she wanted to major in, and she thought this might be her only opportunity to visit Southeast Asia. As a result, she packed up and headed to the Orient with her family. “When | first saw it, Thailand was pretty much like | thought it would be,’ she commented. “At least on the surface.”

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Becky Killebrew Becky ’s home in Thailand was very simi- lar to ones in the United States, because the contractor had studied in the states. Other similarities were not great, however, because Thailand's customs, food, religion, habits and other things were extremely different. Becky said she didn't care for the year- round 90-100 degree temperatures. She said she recalls waking up one Christmas morning, going downstairs and seeing peo- ple walking around outside with light clothes on. “We just closed the curtains and pretended it was cold out,” said Becky. It is a custom in Thailand that women never wear shorts. For the female sex, it is either pants or dresses. “A few brave people did, but | never tried it,” she commented. Becky had to become accustomed to be- ing the center of attention. “The way the Thai's stared at Americans was kind of strange at first. They thought we were all beautiful,” said Becky. “While out on the streets the Thai people would come up and touch me because of my light hair and skin.” Shopping in Thailand is an art that an American must gain experience in. Becky said she had to bargain with storekeepers, because they expected it and enjoyed doing it. Everything was cheap and of such good quality that Becky said, “We could hardly resist buying and buying and buying,’ Com- menting on the Thailand market places, her father would say, “I’m going broke trying to save money.” The Thai's and the Americans in that city got along very well together, according to Becky. She said that just as Americans ques- tion some of their habits and customs, they wonder about some of ours. For instance, the Thai's generally think Americans must be crazy for wanting to get a suntan. Entertainment and freetime activities gained much attention in Thailand. “We shopped, traveled, went to the movies and read, in that order,’ Becky commented. “Everyone went to the movies because there were beautiful and elaborate theatres. Many up-to-date American movies were aired there, but some were edited heavily. Anything having to do with Christianity was omitted,” she said. ” Becky said she is glad she got to make the trip. “It was probably a once in a lifetime ‘opportunity and a good experience, but | was ready to leave. I’m glad to be home.” She said she’s much more appreciative now of seasons, of unbottled water, of peo- ple and of the government. With the large number of foreign students who come to Western from countries such as Hong Kong, England, Vietnam, France and other countries in Europe and Asia, it is rather unusual to find a student from Iceland. Saemundur Gudmundsson, however, is a native of Iceland; but, until he graduates, Bowling Green will be his home. “|! confused my family when | visited them at Christmas,” said Saemundur, “by saying | was going home to Bowling Green, but that’s the way | feel about it.” Saemundur learned about Western from a commissioner of education in Iceland who graduated from George Peabody College in Nashville. The commissioner said Western was the best place he knew for social studies, which is the subject that interests Sae- mundur. Saemundur was a principal for 18 years in an elementary and secondary school in Iceland, and was going back to England to study English and literature before he de- cided to come to Western. He said he is studying social work, mostly as it related to education. The government in Iceland is establishing eight regional school districts within the country and Sae- mundur said he has a job waiting for him similar to a superintendent when he gets his degree. Saemundur speaks English well and said he has little trouble with teachers and class- Saemundur Gudmumdsson es. In fact, he really has no complaints ex- cept for the middle-of-the-night wrong num- bers, which often wake him from a sound sleep. One reason Saemundur may feel at home here is the fact that, “We are more close to American culture than European culture.” “It is strange,” said Saemundur. “| lived close to the sea in Iceland and here | don't live close to the sea, but | don’t miss it. There is something very warm about your country.” While most American students who have a home address of Typical Town, America, Karen Smith’s address is 12 York Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Karen moved to Hong Kong with her family just before her junior year in high school. She had lived there previously while in elementary and junior high school. Karen said more emphasis is put on ed- ducation in Hong Kong than in America. “A Karen Smith person can't really choose his own subjects there,” she said. “It is decided for him.” According to Karen, Hong Kong schools teach a diversified area of subjects and “study is not limited to one area as in the United States.” “People are very friendly in Hong Kong and have respect for their families,” said Karen. She also said people look down on Ame ricans for taking things for granted, even though most of them dream of coming to America. “The people try to copy Ameri- can ways,’ said Karen. Since there is such a great population crowded into a limited amount of space, pub- lic transportation is the main method of travel in Hong Kong. “The people are more independent, too,” said Karen. This difference in travel changes dating life somewhat, too, according to Karen. She said one cannot get a driver's license until he is 18 years old. Despite the traffic’s ten- » dency to be really terrible, public transporta- Zl] Foreign Students