2008 Woodie Awards
Club helps international students get acclimated
By: Mike Lata
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Features
Getting to know students from all over the world and having the opportunity to learn about different cultures are just some of the opportunities the International Neighbors club provides students.
It can be daunting for international students coming to Chico at first because they are in a new country surrounded by
English-speakers.
The International Neighbors club is a way for foreign students to get to know people and be more comfortable in their surroundings.
The club meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday in Selvester's Cafe-by-the-Creek. Everyone is welcome to join, including American students, said Jamie Brezinski, who, along with Kathy Petersen, is in charge of club financing and organization.
"We have various activities and cultural programs during these meetings," Brezinski said. "A popular program is for students to give a cultural presentation focusing on their country in which they bring food, music, games and other highlights of their culture that are important."
The club invites people of every culture and ethnicity to help foreign students feel welcome in the community.
The club has a history of working with international students, Petersen said.
"Originally, we had two programs," she said. "One was Conversation Partner and the other was Friendship Families."
The goal of Conversation Partner was to improve the English conversation skills of foreign students, Petersen said. In the Friendship Families program, American families invited international students to join them for a meal or holiday.
She said the programs turned into the current model of a Monday night coffee house open to everyone because it was too hard to keep people committed long term while having to spend time recruiting people.
Besides getting together each week for tea, coffee and activities, the club also hosts a variety of field trips and events.
"We also do additional events on the weekends surrounding holidays or special times of the year, Brezinski said. "We have trips specifically for international students and events open to every student."
Petersen said American students are usually welcome if there is enough space.
"We try to provide first choice in trips to international students," she said. "But generally Americans provide the cars, so they go as well."
She said international students have fewer opportunities and less time to get out and experience things California has to offer.
"We also have traditional trips and events that we do yearly through the semesters, like our coastal weekend trip during Cesar Chavez weekend," Brezinski said.
Dulika Jayamanne, an international student from Sri Lanka, became involved with the group after a student orientation.
Jayamanne has been involved with the club for three semesters and credits the club with helping him get acclimated to the American culture.
Stopping by the club Monday night can provide a learning experience for anyone interested in other cultures.
"We like students to experience something new and promote diversity and awareness," Brezinski said.
Mike Lata can be reached at
mlata@theorion.com
It can be daunting for international students coming to Chico at first because they are in a new country surrounded by
English-speakers.
The International Neighbors club is a way for foreign students to get to know people and be more comfortable in their surroundings.
The club meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday in Selvester's Cafe-by-the-Creek. Everyone is welcome to join, including American students, said Jamie Brezinski, who, along with Kathy Petersen, is in charge of club financing and organization.
"We have various activities and cultural programs during these meetings," Brezinski said. "A popular program is for students to give a cultural presentation focusing on their country in which they bring food, music, games and other highlights of their culture that are important."
The club invites people of every culture and ethnicity to help foreign students feel welcome in the community.
The club has a history of working with international students, Petersen said.
"Originally, we had two programs," she said. "One was Conversation Partner and the other was Friendship Families."
The goal of Conversation Partner was to improve the English conversation skills of foreign students, Petersen said. In the Friendship Families program, American families invited international students to join them for a meal or holiday.
She said the programs turned into the current model of a Monday night coffee house open to everyone because it was too hard to keep people committed long term while having to spend time recruiting people.
Besides getting together each week for tea, coffee and activities, the club also hosts a variety of field trips and events.
"We also do additional events on the weekends surrounding holidays or special times of the year, Brezinski said. "We have trips specifically for international students and events open to every student."
Petersen said American students are usually welcome if there is enough space.
"We try to provide first choice in trips to international students," she said. "But generally Americans provide the cars, so they go as well."
She said international students have fewer opportunities and less time to get out and experience things California has to offer.
"We also have traditional trips and events that we do yearly through the semesters, like our coastal weekend trip during Cesar Chavez weekend," Brezinski said.
Dulika Jayamanne, an international student from Sri Lanka, became involved with the group after a student orientation.
Jayamanne has been involved with the club for three semesters and credits the club with helping him get acclimated to the American culture.
Stopping by the club Monday night can provide a learning experience for anyone interested in other cultures.
"We like students to experience something new and promote diversity and awareness," Brezinski said.
Mike Lata can be reached at
mlata@theorion.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Cindy
posted 2/10/08 @ 1:54 PM PST
Well- after a couple of meetings and getting the foreigners comfortable they'll pull out the bible. They are really christian missionaries.
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