Western Courier

Issue date: 2/21/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Katrina Strich Freshman general orientation major Assannatou Sow from Mali and freshman theatre major Jenna Brown enjoy each other's company as they share their different cultural baackgrounds.

Bringing students together in intercultural communication and understanding, the Center for International Studies offers the opportunity for traditional students to become "conversation partners" with international students.

Diana Ibragimova, graduate assistant in charge of overseeing the conversation partner program this semester, said she thinks the program works well to expose American and international students to other cultures and eliminate sterotyping.

"It helps to make people feel like global citizens, interested in what's outside America. Such programs help understanding, and that's why I joined," she added.

Ibragimova said the two students meet on their own time at least one hour per week, but that they are encouraged to meet more often if they desire.

"They can meet at a restaurant, football game, anywhere they like where students can share culture," Ibragimova said. "I started out meeting one hour per week with my partner, but as we got closer, we'd do more social things, like having dinner or just hanging out for several hours at a time," said Krista Scott, senior Spanish major.

While anyone can volunteer, CIS targets bilingual education students as well as those enrolled in so-called "cultural" classes. All volunteers must have basic conversation skills in another language and are paired with international students based on interest, age and availability.

"Mostly, those who want to participate (do), and most are open-minded people," Ibragimova said.

"It depends on each person, really," said freshman economics major Dila Ikiz, adding that she hardly ever met her partner last semester, but she meets with her current partner often.

Reasons for participation are varied, from providing material for one's resume to worldwide social networking.

"Most students join to meet people from another country, but the first response I heard an American student give as to why they wanted to do this was 'to teach them English,'" Ibragimova said. "Some (international) students have well-developed English skills and just want to meet someone. A lot of people have found good friendships through this.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools