There seem to be numerous groups on a college campus, each sharing at least one particular cultural trait in common. However, there is one group on campus that is composed of people from different cultural backgrounds and walks of life. These are the international students. This is an ever growing subset of those attending an American university, making up almost 820,000 students across all colleges and universities in the United States during the 2012-13 academic year (Institute of International Education). Even though the number of international students is growing consistently, around seven to eight percent per year over the past couple of years, there is still hostility and an exclusiveness towards this diverse group of students (Institute
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International students help to contribute to that diversity, being one of the only groups that are not a part of modern American culture, because they are not from America. International students can be some of the first encounters that other college students have with someone not from this country, or even someone from a completely different cultural background. It has been found that professor and student knowledge and awareness, as well as discussion, is enhanced because of the presence of international students (Sato and Hodge). International students even contribute much to the American economy as well, supporting over 340,000 jobs and almost $27 million in economic benefit (NAFSA). Even though the ultimate goal is for cross-cultural interactions for the student population, this is often not reached, as international students more often feel like a stranger in a strange land, rather than just any other …show more content…
English has been noted to be one of the most difficult languages to learn with its grammar rules, and their exceptions, its contradictions, and having to pronounce certain words the right way (Oxford). Even with the language’s challenges, there is an expectation for international students, especially those from Japan, “...to speak, read, write, and present in English fluently” according to Takahiro Sato and Samuel Hodge. This usually does not happen, as other issues, like peer interactions and cultural adjustment, supersede the time needed to learn English (Sato and Hodge). With them not being able to make any progress learning English, these differences manifests itself into learning disabilities, as they were not able to learn other subjects that are taught in English (Sato and Hodge). Cultural differences can also play a role in the academic difficulties of these international students, as the way American professors taught could be different that the way teachers and professors teach back in their home countries (Sato and Hodge). These challenges that international students can face academically could lead to trouble trying to succeed in college, but also lead to difficulties trying to adjust to campus, and to the student
International students help to contribute to that diversity, being one of the only groups that are not a part of modern American culture, because they are not from America. International students can be some of the first encounters that other college students have with someone not from this country, or even someone from a completely different cultural background. It has been found that professor and student knowledge and awareness, as well as discussion, is enhanced because of the presence of international students (Sato and Hodge). International students even contribute much to the American economy as well, supporting over 340,000 jobs and almost $27 million in economic benefit (NAFSA). Even though the ultimate goal is for cross-cultural interactions for the student population, this is often not reached, as international students more often feel like a stranger in a strange land, rather than just any other …show more content…
English has been noted to be one of the most difficult languages to learn with its grammar rules, and their exceptions, its contradictions, and having to pronounce certain words the right way (Oxford). Even with the language’s challenges, there is an expectation for international students, especially those from Japan, “...to speak, read, write, and present in English fluently” according to Takahiro Sato and Samuel Hodge. This usually does not happen, as other issues, like peer interactions and cultural adjustment, supersede the time needed to learn English (Sato and Hodge). With them not being able to make any progress learning English, these differences manifests itself into learning disabilities, as they were not able to learn other subjects that are taught in English (Sato and Hodge). Cultural differences can also play a role in the academic difficulties of these international students, as the way American professors taught could be different that the way teachers and professors teach back in their home countries (Sato and Hodge). These challenges that international students can face academically could lead to trouble trying to succeed in college, but also lead to difficulties trying to adjust to campus, and to the student