For many international students, moving to the United States is a huge adjustment. There’s culture shock with new food, laws, living circumstances and different learning styles.
While most of them transition well, there are some who have a difficult time overcoming the challenges that occur in a foreign environment.
“Sometimes teachers look at me differently after hearing my name,” Lebanese biology major Mohammed Basma said. “There are times when they seem as if they don’t really want to talk to me, but are very comfortable talking to a student who shares their same culture.”
Basma said he was bullied in high school for having a different background. He said his teachers would also give him harsher punishments than his white friends. However, he said it made him stronger.
Basma said he loves the University of Memphis and is not afraid to stand up for himself anymore.
Ebrahim Allouzi, a sophomore whose family is from Jordan, said he was shocked by the prices on campus. He said that in Jordan, a small bottle of water is equivalent to 30 cents in the United States.
“What really shocked me was being told that I couldn’t get a free refill on the cup of water that I paid for at Subway in the Art building,” Allouzi said.
Allouzi said he also is confused about understand the social dynamics on campus.
“People here in America try to climb the social ladder so hard,” Allouzi said. “It’s crazy how much people desire to be accepted by others. I actually used to be that way. But, after my freshman year, I learned that it’s just better to be myself.”
Yanal Elayan, a junior biology major from Jordan, said one of his biggest challenges was getting his credits transferred to the university.
“When I moved to the United States, a lot of credits didn’t get transferred into the biology program, so I had to retake those classes,” Elayan said. “Knowing that I needed to graduate was an even bigger struggle. In Jordan, chemistry is one big subject, but in America it’s broken up into different parts.”
Despite his difficulty with transferring credits, Elayan said he enjoys his social experience at the university, thanks to the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“I feel cool and comfortable here because of the involvement zone,” Elayan said. “I’ve made so many friends by hanging out in there. I think that it’s important for international students to take advantage of that center and get involved with clubs.”
Brenda Cowans, administrative associate of International Student Services, said a majority of the students that she sees rarely need assistance with things like living arrangements. She said many of them receive help from student organizations in Multicultural Affairs, which are more than willing to show them the ropes.
However, some students such as Fatuma Abdullahi, a junior international business major from Somalia, find it difficult to get connected. Abdullahi said she is often misperceived at school.
“People see the way that I dress and always assume that I am hot because of my scarf and skirt, but I’m actually not,” Abdullahi said. “I understand that a lot of people are ignorant to different cultures and backgrounds. So, I actually like taking the time to inform them about what is correct.”
Abdullahi said even with the common misperceptions she experiences, she is still a happy and motivated student. “I’m not ashamed to be who I am,” Abdullahi said. “I just continue to wake up and strive to be better every day.”
