Laurel Cahoon / Scroll Staff

Jongseong We, a freshman from Seoul, South Korea experienced some difficulties getting to America.

“After 9/11 it was hard to get a visa. I was rejected once. [The] American Government is worried that I will come here to study and that I’ll stay here after I graduate,” We said.

Once We got to America, other students helped him learn the American culture.

“Roommates are really, really helpful. The big thing is my English and sometimes I don’t understand what people say,” We said. “I can learn about English. They made me not be lonely.”

International students are able to go into the reading center and get additional out of class help with their English. Eleisha Clayton, a senior from Boise, and a tutor at the reading center notices qualities that her students exhibit.

“They are such hard workers, especially Korean students. They’ll spend hours and hours at the library until it closes. They are great examples of hard work and dedication,” Clayton said. “They don’t give up despite the language barrier.

Tutors not only get a chance to teach their foreign students, but also the unique chance to learn from their students.

“Working with international students, you become really close with them. They’ll tell their friends about you because you are their tutor and their friend,” Clayton said. “One student was from Japan, and she taught me how to paint characters from her alphabet. It was really cool.”

Other students get the chance to learn from foreign students but in a more personal setting, such as being roommates. Carissa Findlay, a junior from Carlsbad, Calif., remembers some of the qualities of a one roommate she had from Vietnam.

“Meo was really young, about 17. She would turn the water off in the middle of a shower and then turn it back on. It’s how she grew up; conserving water. She was really smart. She took about 21 credits and worked,” Findlay said.

American students can learn many things from foreign students and friendships can be built despite the language barrier as students teach one another of their cultures.

“You’ll be able to learn more about a different culture on a personal basis and not just from a textbook. You can basically get to know a culture more personally from your students,” Clayton said.

It is important to remember that some foreign students have not experienced American culture before.

“Everything is brand new to me. My job, tutoring, my roommates, and my co-workers help me. Everything is a good experience,” We said.

Having a foreign roommate can be a learning experience and roommates should be tolerant of the culture gap.

“Be ready to learn about other cultures,” Findlay said. “Be accepting and realize they’re coming into a culture where they are the ones who are different.”