According to Northwestern’s international students, Americans live up to the stereotype of eating too much fast food.
Northwestern is home to students from 34 states and 17 countries. Its growing diversity is something that NW takes pride in and continues to help it grow and cultivate.
This year, 12 new international students joined the campus. These international students come from countries all over the world, including Japan, India and England.
The first year of college can be unnerving for anyone. These students have shouldered their bravery and flown to a foreign country to begin their years of study but seem to be handling it rather well.
“The people here are some of the most warm, kind and friendly people I’ve ever met. I felt so welcome when I first arrived here,” stated Vanlal Hruaia from India.
Though some of the international students have been to America before, most of them have not, so Orange City provides a unique look into “small town America.” “I just imagined more urban life,” admitted Yui Shiotani, a native of Osaka, Japan, “But I’m happy to be in one close community.”
Yikiko Higashino, also from Japan, confessed that before she came to America she had read that most Americans owned guns for safety. “I thought it was a very dangerous place,” she stated. But Yukiko, along with other students, have come to find the security of the campus and the community.
“I love the safety I feel here,” adds Esther Dutt, who was born in the U.S. but lived in Oman. “Walking around campus at two in the morning is the best thing! I know it’s something you can only do in a small town, so I am enjoying it while I can.”
Just because many of the international students enjoy being here doesn’t mean that they are not experiencing some culture shock. “I’m getting used to the cold,” said Dutt. Higashino has made a list of the things she needs to survive the deep snow as she prepares for the coming winter.
Along with the weather, some of our habits have been a surprise to the new international students. “I was shocked at the amount of fast foods that students consume for each meal,” exclaimed Hruaia. “Why are the stores closed on Sunday?” asked Tec Sun, a Korean student who went to school in the Philippines. His question is proof that Orange City life takes some getting used to.
If there is one thing that all of the international students agree on, it is the awesomeness of Wal-Mart. “I love 24 hour Wal-Mart!” This exclamation was unanimous as many of the international students, along with the rest of us, enjoy our late night Wal-Mart runs.
As we can see, America may live up to its stereotypes in some ways, but thankfully not in all ways. So take the time to talk to international students and see if your perceptions of their countries are true or not. We can learn a lot from the diversity of our campus.
