KSU educates about 3,000 international students from more than 120 countries around the globe, said International Student Association Adviser Francis Kabongo. Many of them find more freedom in this culture than in their own, especially when it comes to choosing a major.
“I study what I want to study not what I’m forced to study.” said sophomore Nicholas See Tho, who has been at KSU for about a year after attending school in Malaysia.
In Malaysia, a student’s “mindset is to get as many A’s as possible, get a degree, get out, work, prepare for Master’s, work for more money and then retire.” said See Tho, “It’s all about material satisfaction, economical satisfaction [and] economical security.”
Many of KSU’s international students hold a similar mindset. Nigerian international student Nnamdi Nuhu said in Nigeria, the only reason most people go to school is to get good jobs after graduating. “Here, education is more about personal fulfillment than anything else,” Nuhu said.
In India, students often study what their parents tell them to study, said senior Computer Science major Sara Suryawanshi. She said her brother, who wanted to become an engineer, is currently studying to become a doctor in India. In doing so, he adheres to his parents’ desires.
Similarly, students in Kenya often do not get to choose what to study. Senior Biology major Stephen Gitau said when it comes to choosing your major, “You have only four choices: your best, your second best, your third and fourth… They pick that based on your grades. You don’t get to choose.” Gitau said the government, who chooses students’ career paths, also pays tuition for those who attend public universities.
An individualistic society is a completely different concept for many of KSU’s international students and though it may appeal to some, Gitau said he found it difficult to adapt to American culture.
”Being here by myself, [it] was really hard to make friends because nobody wanted to be my friend,” Gitau said, adding that it was difficult for him to adjust because many students didn’t understand his culture. “But, as I became used to these customs, now I have friends.” Gitau said.
In Kenya, college-bound students have the option to attend a public university, a private university or a vocational school The majority of Kenyan students prefer to study at public universities, according to stateuniversity.com.
“We don’t have a lot of colleges,” Gitau said. “That’s the problem. Everybody tries to go to college. It’s like cut-throat competitive.”
According to a study conducted by US News, international students make up about two percent of the KSU student body. Gitau said KSU should strengthen its international focus in order to help students adapt to American society.
Being an international student isn’t easy, given our complex culture and language. However, our freedoms and individuality easy their load. A new award-winning worldwide book/ebook to help anyone coming to the US is “What Foreigners Need To Know About America From A To Z: How to Understand Crazy American Culture, People, Government, Business, Language and More.” It paints a revealing picture of America for those who will benefit from a better understanding, including international students. Endorsed worldwide by ambassadors, educators, and editors, it also identifies “foreigners” who became successful in the US and how they contributed to our society, including students.
A chapter on education identifies schools that are free and explains how to be accepted to an American university and cope with a new culture, friendship process and classroom differences they will encounter. Some stay after graduation. It has chapters that explain how US businesses operate and how to get a job (which differs from most countries), a must for those who want to work for an American firm here or overseas. It also has chapters that identify the most common English grammar and speech problems foreigners have and tips for easily overcoming them, the number one stumbling block they say they have to succeeding here.
Most struggle in their efforts and need guidance from schools’ international departments, immigration protection, host families, concerned neighbors and fellow students, and books like this to extend a cultural helping hand so we all have a win-win situation. Good luck to all wherever you study!