Echo Times

Issue date: 5/12/04 Section: Feature

Media Credit: Jeremy Duvall International students fend for themselves at the College of Marin (Photo Illustration)

Sitting quietly huddled together with a friend at one of the many tables at the College of Marin cafeteria,Yoonsoon Jung -- known as Yoon to her friends -- looks like the average American college student. The only difference is that a little over six months ago Jung wasn't only starting her first semester at COM, she was taking her first steps into a culture that is very different from her native South Korea.

Jung is one of the approximately 100 foreign students at COM and she, like many of the other international students, isn't happy.

From problems with professors to lack of services, international students at COM have few tools to help them adjust to not only a new academic experience but a complex and different cultural environment as well.

With tuition prices now at $171 per unit and the obligation to remain a full-time student or risk being deported, life as an international student is not easy.

"Yeah, of course it's hard to adjust," Jung said in very delicate English. "Some teachers think because you speak English okay that you understand everything."

The language barrier is a problem for international students whose conversational English is up to par, but who have problems following intense academic lectures.

"Some teachers understand our problems," Jung said. "Some teachers don't even care."

According to the students interviewed, some professors at COM try to do as much as they can for the international students, while others seem unwilling to compromise. Jung spoke about an experience one of her friends, who is also an international student, had with her professor. "My friend went to talk to her instructor and he said it was her problem, her handicap," she said.

Rene Prado, a student who made his way here recently from Mexico, has had similar problems with his own professors. "It's hard for students who have a culture shock or can't speak or write (English) well," Prado said. "(Professors) assumed I could handle it and I got punished for not knowing."

Prado, a member of the Associated Students of College of Marin board for international students, said it's important for foreign students to feel like they belong. He is a member of the International Students Club, an organization that in the past has provided important services to international students. The club is inactive this semester due to lack of widespread interest.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools