It can take less than a day at UB for one to get a sense of the large international student presence. With people coming from all over the world to learn, the university has become an estuary of merging cultures.
???The International Student Discussion Group has created a chance for domestic students to enlighten themselves about different cultures and assist international students who may be having a hard time adjusting to American culture.
???As an informal drop-in group, students can attend as much or as little as they wish. The topics of discussion are often brought up in casual conversations between members.
???Issues like homesickness, ordering food, meeting people and even conducting oneself at a party make up only a small portion of the topics that are covered.
???According to Xuhua Qin, assistant director of counseling with Student Health and Wellness, ordering at fast food restaurants, something that Americans do every day, can be very tricky for foreigners.???
???"You have to order cheese and any other ingredients you want, and sometimes that can be very challenging for international students," Qin said. "They might not have that format of ordering food back home and that can be a small example of culture shock."
???Culture shock, which can already be the source of many problems, can be even harder for those who are planning a long stay rather than a quick trip. Steve Soh, a senior sociology major and international student from Singapore, has discovered after three semesters at UB that American social life can be tough to adapt to.
???"The social activities are different here," Soh said. "The party atmosphere is the biggest place to make friends and I am not really a party person."
???The flexibility of topics is something that makes these discussions worthwhile for every student, even if they don't feel troubled being overseas. Some international students are concerned with other factors like weather or food that can be radically different depending on one's location.
???"The biggest thing for me is how much the weather fluctuates," said Kenny Sim, a senior civil engineering major. "At my home in Malaysia it is in the 90s pretty much all year round."
???The discussion group can also lend valuable experience to those who were raised locally. As intense as it can be for people to come to UB from outside the country, it can be as equally difficult for an American to play the role of a foreigner.
"I've been to Italy a bunch of times and each time it's sort of different," said Phillip J. Wright, a senior biological science major. "Things that go on over there you can't exactly do over here."
???As some students can imagine, going in front of people they don't know and talking about something personal can be intimidating. The International Students Discussion Group works to put the nervous mind at ease.
??? According to Qin, every student who participates in the group has to sign a release from, a guideline for the group. This form states that group leaders are there to help students and leaders will seek additional help for any participant that expresses concern.
???Students are encouraged to share their own experiences, but are also asked not to share any other member's words with any one outside the group. Keeping the group a confidential environment allows students to feel safer and more respected at group meetings.
???"This groups provides a kind of safe place, were international students can gather together and share there experiences, and share there tips about how to adjust," Qin said.
???The International Student Discussion Group meets at 317 Student Union every Friday from 3 until 4:30 p.m.
Additional reporting by Life Editor Dennis Seaman.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
