College life is an adjustment for all students. But, with
a new language, new cultures and a family across the ocean,
the transition can often be hardest for international students.
A new center on campus is dedicated to helping ease that
transition.
The International Student Resource Center (ISRC) opened
for the fall semester Sept. 25. Since its grand opening
in February, the center, located in 217 Alexander, has
helped more than 300 students during the winter and spring
semesters.
 |
BRIDGING BARRIERS: (above, from left)Sultan
Al
Harabi, of Saudi Arabia, receives assistance
from
Kelly Parker, a second-year graduate student
in
MATESOL, at the International Student Resource
Center. The center, located in 217 Alexander,
provides
tutoring in English, assistance in locating
and
using reference materials, and help
understanding
American academic expectations.
Photo
by Randy Mascharka
|
"Our goal is to help them develop a support network," said
Kim Anderson, who oversees the ISRC and is director of
EMU's English as a Secondary Language (ESL) program. "We
help them get connected so that they succeed in classes
and have a positive campus experience."
The main services provided by the ISRC are English tutoring,
assistance in locating and using reference materials, and
help understanding American academic expectations. Students
may need help only one time, understanding the directions
for an assignment, or on a regular basis. Services are
free to all students for any assignment in any class.
All international students whose first language is not
English must take an English test, says Anderson. If
their test scores are too low, the student must take ESL
classes.
"Students at all levels need help with English," said
Anderson. "We can help walk them through directions or
tutor them in grammar and vocabulary. At higher levels,
we help them understand the subtle differences in meaning
between words."
In addition, the center also helps students understand
cultural differences that may affect their success in class.
For example, in some cultures it is considered taboo to
address a teacher directly or to offer opinions, said Anderson.
The ISRC helps students understand that they can ask a
professor for help or clarification.
Six graduate students, in the Teaching English to Speakers
of Other Languages (TESOL) master's degree program, staff
the center. Though the tutors don't speak most of their
students' native languages, they still can find a way to
communicate. All international students at EMU know some
English; the tutors use pictures or gestures to help fill
in the gaps.
"It's a practical way to use what we are learning in class," said
Kelly Parker, a tutor at the ISRC. "It's a great opportunity
to teach them about my country and to learn from them about
their country. I like to have contact with different cultures
and hear different viewpoints."
There are more than 900 international students on campus,
said Anderson. The countries most often represented are
Saudi Arabia, India, China and Korea. The ISRC also sees
students from Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and Turkey.
Mustafa Khudar, a nursing student from Saudi Arabia, visited
the ISRC for the first time for help with writing and grammar.
"They are very nice people," Khudar said. "I would come
back again."
Like most international students, Khudar plans to return
to his home country after receiving his degree.
"Most international students are in business or technology-related
programs," said Anderson. "The combination of a U.S. degree
and speaking English helps them get really good jobs back
home."
The ISRC's hours of operation are: Monday, noon-4 p.m.
and 5-8 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, noon-4 p.m.; Wednesday
and Friday, noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 487-0370.
