International Student – Do You Know One?

Do you know an international student? If you do have the privilege of knowing an international student then keep in mind that you have a special obligation. An international student, one who comes from another country to study in ours, is far from home and from all that is familiar. The international student may be homesick at times and making strong friendships among those met in the host country are one of the ways that the international student has of coping with that potential loneliness. By being a friend to an international student you are helping out this individual. You are also serving as a goodwill ambassador of your country to a citizen of another country.

Where Do International Students Come From?

International students come from many nationals that have study aboard programs. The United States is a large country and a rich country so it is the target destination for many international students when they re choosing a nation to visit and study in.

International students come to the United States from Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Russia, the Ukraine, Belarus, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Taiwan, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Bolivia, Ecuador, and many other countries. Generally they will have a good working knowledge of the English language when they come here, and this is actually quite common. English is an international language and an international student is probably from a country where English is commonly spoken as the language of business. It is rare for instance to find a business person in Germany or Norway who does not speak and understand English. Some international students however still have difficulty with the language and need to continue their studies when they arrive. But, immersion in a new language and new culture is a sound way for an international student to improve English language skills.

International Students Increase Understanding

International students help us to increase our understanding of the world around us. Anyone can read a book about another country but nothing compares to visiting that country for yourself. A close second is getting to know someone from another country – an international student – and engaging in conversation with tem about her country, hearing about it firsthand. An international student can provide information on the way that he or she was raised, how many brothers or sisters they have and what is common in their country and what their school was like. An international student will enjoy American holidays and can pass on information on what holidays are like in their home country. Germany for instance gave the US the tradition of the Christmas tree. The UK provided the basis of the Halloween jackolantern, though they used turnips in the old country. By speaking with an international student, an American can learn a great deal about the rest of the world.