The Cardinal

International Students Experience American Culture

Danica Russell
Staff Writer

Having friends around the world is always a great feeling especially because you will always have a place to stay if you’re in the area. The college is helping students gain friends from all over the world.
The International Program offers students an opportunity to meet a student from another country, as Conversation Partners.
Conversation Partners are two people, an international student and a native English speaking student. The students meet at least an hour a week and can do any activity from having lunch in our cafeteria or going fishing on the weekend. This is a way students can be more involved on campus and be involved in our community.
There are 250 students participating in this program. Each student is paired with one other student of the same sex. There are students from many different countries involved this quarter, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Germany, Taiwan, China, and Mexico.
Jessica Edge, a participant in the program, wants to take more than just a friend from the experience but also to “learn a different kind of culture.”
Not only is this program a way to reach out to others but also it can help with a Learning into Action requirement. Participation in three quarters of the Conversation Partners can receive a Global Citizenship Award.
This is a way students can learn about each other’s diverse culture and personality. Not only are students learning each other’s background, but they also are gaining a friendship for life.