Looking at the coins in her hand, Mihoshi Tanida ’10 took one, examined it closely and then put in on the counter. She did the same with the second one. And the third. The line behind her was getting restless. The shop assistant asked her what was wrong with the coins.
“They have no numbers,” she explained.
There was silence. Some people in the line got out their coins and started examining them just as she did before.
It never occurred to them that U.S. coins have no numeral, such as “25 cents.” But if you’re an international student like Tanida from Japan, it’s just one of the many issues to deal with while attending Fairfield University.
Yes, the international students at Fairfield University are not a myth and not a legend. They really exist. This fall there are 103 international students from 46 countries according to Alejandro Martinez, Coordinator of International Students.
“The numbers of incoming international students has almost tripled,” he said, referring to the period from 2000 to 2006. “The diversity of their background has also expanded, coming from more countries and regions that in past years.”
For most of international students this is their first time in the United States. Some things just take them more time to adjust and get used to.
Yao Shan ’07 from Germany admitted that at first she had some trouble understanding what some Americans were saying.
“In Germany we learn British English,” she explained. “But now I’m trying to adjust; I’m on the way.”
Other international students have difficulties like counting the coins, understanding what their professors say when they talk quickly and even adjusting to food.
Tanida and Asuka Sugiyama ’08, both from Japan, complained about the quality of American food. They said they had their parents send them some products from Japan that can’t be bought in the U.S.
Most students come from countries where the legal drinking age is 18.
“This is just ridiculous,” said Darling Garcia ’07 of Nicaragua. “Because of this [law] I can’t go to any bars with my friends and have real parties.”
Laura Gehrman ’07 agreed that drinking policies here are stricter than what she was used to in Germany.
“I’m not used to being told how much alcohol I am allowed to have in my apartment,” she said.
Julie Rouyer ’07 and Paulin Jogleux ’07, from France, said they were surprised there were so few bars and clubs around campus and in Fairfield.
Fergal Curtin ’07 said that in his university in Ireland you could “go for a few pints [of beer] in the middle of the day before or after a lecture.”
But it’s not just complaints that you hear from international students. There is a lot that they like about Fairfield and that made them choose this university from many others.
Most international students say that Fairfield campus is really beautiful, especially now in the fall. Curtin said he liked everything about the location.
“It’s really close to New York,” he said. “And it definitely doesn’t rain as much [as in Ireland].”
Gehrman said she really liked her classes because of much guidance from teachers and staff who are very supportive and eager to help.
“I love how interactive classes are,” she said. “In Germany only the teacher talks and students listen.”
Dr. Debnam Chappell, who teaches an English class to international students, said she really enjoyed the conversations she has had with them in the class.
“They come from different backgrounds, different cultures and have a different experience to contribute to the class,” she said.
Chappell said that international students have an easier time if they have greater fluency in language.
“The international students in my class come with a lot of energy,” she added. “They are all very excited to be here.”
Editor’s Note: Palina Pavarha is an international student from Belarus.
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