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Life in USU's 'global village' opens eyes to the ways
of a broader world
By Mou Wai-mui
April 30, 2005 | It's a no brainer
that foreign exchange students get a personal glimpse
of American culture at Utah State University -- but
Americans are learning about other lands here at home.
One way is to sign up at on-campus dorm where foreign
exchange students live.
"We don't have an exact number on how many international
students live in the dorm," said Whitney Milligan,
assistant director of Housing and Dining Services. "San
Juan Hal -- a global village -- however, is the dorm
where most international undergraduate students stay."
The global village is one of the 16 dormitories at
the university, Whitney said. Students wishing to live
in the village dorm must agree to participatie in activities
that are geared to cultural exchange experiences.
USU has the second-highest percentage as well as the
second-largest number of international students among
the state's 10 pubic colleges and universities, according
to Joan Kleinke, assistant director of analysis, assessment
and accreditation.
Andi Howell, resident assistant of San Juan Hall at
USU's global village, said she was surprised and delighted
when she was chosen to be a resident assistant of San
Juan Hall at USU's global village.
"I have friends worldwide," she said. "Eighty-five
percent of students living here are from 16 different
countries."
Howell, of Salt Lake City, said her vision is no longer
confined to Utah and its culture anymore. She has learned
about many diverse cultures and people.
"I understand the world better," she said.
"I am more aware of things happening all around
the world."
Howell also learned that something acceptable in her
culture may be rude and impolite somewhere else. She
said when she was in a group with a peer from Nepal,
as a leader of the group, she normally made the decisions.
But from Nepal's perspective, men are always in charge
of events. Therefore, her role of making decisions offended
her peer.
"Americans generally are afraid of change,"
Howell added. "They are fearful of opening up to
different cultures. They get used to the same background."
When Jess Dombrowski came to USU from Idaho, she opted
to stay in San Juan Hall for her first two years of
college.
"There is a lot of variety in both the people
and the food selection," she said. "I have
a different outlook. I don't take everything for granted
anymore."
She doesn't think twice about the snow, for instance.
But she got a new perspective when her roommate from
China saw snow for the first time.
USU students who don't live in the dorm can still have
opportunities to meet international students. They can
sign up at the Office of International Students and
Scholars to be a volunteer to help international students.
"I learned a lot," said Paul Smee, a sophomore
and who has helped Chinese students with assignments
since last fall. "Because of being a volunteer,
I know what I want to do in my life. It gave me direction."
He has declared Asian studies as his major and his
career plans are to work in international business in
China.
"We all have similarities," he said. "People
should take the time to get to know international students
before making negative stereotypical judgments about
them."
Another opportunity for USU students is to stop by
for a tea party with international students periodically
on Fridays in the second floor of Taggart Students Center.
For more information, call 797-1124.
"I am more open-minded after I connected with
the international students," said Christopher Brockbank,
a sophomore majoring in economics and a frequent visitor
at the tea parties. "First I wanted to work in
China, but now I want to live there."
Meeting international students has helped him to be
more respectful of other people's perspectives in life,
he said. He is especially eager to understand Chinese
culture.
"I'm going to get a Chinese wife," he joked,
"and live there."
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