The Retort

International Students Experience America

March 25th, 2011 by Wakana Iwata Of The Retort Staff

For international students, living in a different county and culture is a very new experience. Most of the time it is exciting, but sometimes it is hard to get over culture shock. When people work in different countries, they discover many more differences because they need to have responsibility in their job. I interviewed three international students who are working on campus who achieve a good balance between their jobs and busy school lives. Although sometimes it can be confusing to work in different cultures, they are learning many important things through their jobs.

Siwei Fang

Age: 21

Home country: China

Home university: Jilin University

Major: Human Resources Management in China, Business Management at MSUB Has been in America for: Eight months

Decide to study at MSUB because: of an exchange program through her university

Freedom (in class choices and internships)

Siwei works in the Academic Support Center as a math tutor. She helps students who have questions about math homework, and also she assists other instructors during her time at work.

The best part of her job is when her students trust her. She also feels happy when she figures out math problems with her students. “They are happy when they solve their problems, so I am also happy and satisfied,” says Siwei.

She sometimes has trouble with her job because she is not American. Siwei gave an example, “There was a student who looked like she really needed help, so I asked if she needed help, but she just said no. However, when another tutor passed by, she asked him to help her. She didn’t trust me just because I look different from Americans, which doesn’t mean I cannot solve the problems. She didn’t even give me a chance to teach, which makes me sad.”

Therefore, she says, a trusting relationship with students is all the more important in her work as a tutor. Language is also one of the difficulties for her. Although she speaks very good English, sometimes she feels it is difficult to explain in English because English is her second language.

Siwei has learned a lot of things from her job, but understanding students is the most important thing for her. “There are many different kinds of students, so I need to change the ways of teaching depending on the student. I have to understand all the students.” Also, she’s learned the importance of group work. “When I cannot figure out the problems, I ask other tutors. Likewise, when other tutors cannot solve the problems, they ask me for help. So, group work with other tutors is very important.”

Miyo Takayabu

Age: 21

Home country: Japan

Home university: Prefectural University of Kumamoto

Major: English language and English education

Has been in America for: Eight months

Decide to study at MSUB because: MSUB is a sister university to Prefectural University of Kumamoto

Miyo works at the International Studies club as an activities coordinator which is a new position in the club. As activities coordinator, Miyo plans activities for international students who belong to this club. She has already planned several activities this school year, such as a farewell party for international students who left last semester and trips to Bozeman and Yellowstone National Park. Now she is working on the club’s next big event, the International Food Fair. She is also in charge of the MSUB International Studies Club’s Facebook community. She uses Facebook to inform club members of events and to invite participants to these events. This community makes it easier for club members to get involved.

Miyo decided to become the activities coordinator because she wanted to learn about the culture of America and other countries. “I can meet many students and enjoy activities with them through my job,” she said. Miyo likes planning fun events for club members and she really enjoys attending and participating in the events. She’s currently working with members to plan the next fun club event.

“I’ve learned a lot of things from my job, but the most important thing I’ve learned is how to work with others,” Miyo said. She makes decisions like when and where activities will happen, which is not always easy to coordinate with everyone’s schedules. She keeps in close contact with everyone about the plans. She also says, “Although sometimes it is difficult to accept everyone’s opinion, planning events with friends is so much fun.”

Navin Marimuthu

Age: 19

Home country: India

Major: Accounting

Has been in America for: Two years

Decided to study at MSUB because: of a tennis scholarship and the weather

Diversity and unity in all aspects of life

Navin is the president of the International Studies club. “My job is to oversee the club and make meaningful decisions that will entertain our international students,” he said. The International Studies club is for international and American students to enjoy their time together and sharing their cultures. Most of the international students at MSUB belong to this club, and it is a place where international students can feel at home. The club has a meeting once a month, which is a good opportunity to get together with other international students and talk about upcoming activities.

“I like being able to be the leader for the club,” he said. There are a lot of fun activities planned by the International Studies club and Navin participates in as many as possible despite being busy with tennis training and other things. He participated in the latest event, a trip to Yellowstone National Park, and had fun with club members. He is also going to take part in the club’s upcoming event, the International Food Fair.

Navin says, “How to manage and collaborate with international students is one of the challenges of being president of this club.” The International Studies club is composed of members from all over the world and all members have different cultures and ideas.