It is hard to miss the sign on Harald Leder’s desk in his Hatcher Hall office.
The sign is printed in four languages – English, Russian, French and German. In English it reads, “You are leaving the American Sector.”
Leder, who is from Germany, is the assistant to the executive director of the Office of International Programs. The sign is a replica of those posted in Berlin during U.S. and Soviet occupation after World War II.
Leder said there is irony in the sign’s message since it is often American students who enter his office. The Office of International Programs works with University exchange students in other countries as well as international students who come to the University.
“You are leaving the American zone of comfort,” Leder said.
But Leder wants U.S. students to understand the feeling of unfamiliarity many international students go through.
Comfort zones are something the 1,700 international students at the University know about since they leave their own comfort zones to come to the United States, Leder said.
“It’s the little things that make problems bigger,” Leder said.
Language and culture differences are some of the problems Leder said can make it difficult for international students to interact with American students.
“For most people, coming to another country means learning another language,” Leder said. “There’s a whole different set of rules of behavior.”
Leder recalled language difficulties he had when he first arrived in the United States. He used the word “stand” when he meant “understand.”
“I would say, ‘I can’t stand you,’ to my girlfriend,” Leder said.
It is expensive for internationals to come to the United States and that it is a shame language barriers often get in the way, Leder said.
“You’ve spent all this money, so you really want to fit in,” he said.
Guru Kithlanagamangala, an electrical engineering graduate student from India, said despite the cultural differences, he has not had problems adjusting to life in America.
“People are really good here – they’re really sweet,” he said. “They are more accepting here.”
Kithlanagamangala said whether or not an international student fits in depends on the individual.
“I haven’t had problems, but I’ve seen some people get homesick,” he said. “It’s a personal thing.”
The Indian academic semester is different from the American one, Kithlanagamangala said. The semester lasts six months, and grades are based on finals but no additional projects or homework.
Academics was not the most difficult aspect of American life for Kithlanagamangala to adjust to. He said understanding the language was harder at first, though he is not having problems now.
“I had problems understanding the accent at first,” Kithlanagamangala said. “I visited India at Christmas and people there said I had picked up the accent.”
Christina Benjamin, a history senior from England, did not have a problem understanding the language since English is her native tongue. She could not think of anything negative about her experience at the University.
“Last year I was an exchange student,” Benjamin said. “I loved it so much because of the people, good level of teaching and how beautiful the campus is, that I wanted to come back here and make it my graduating university.”
Benjamin encouraged other international students to be as polite and friendly as they could to make their experience better at the University.
“Try new things if you feel comfortable,” she said. “Try to find out about social activities on campus.”
Pedro Oliveira, who is from Portugal and is a recent University graduate, sat in the Quad yesterday with his friend John Lestrade, a biology junior.
Oliveira said he lived in New York for a year before moving to Louisiana. He said he talked to only other internationals before moving to Louisiana, but now he has mostly American friends.
“There were a lot of immigrants in New York,” Oliveira said. “I met most of my friends in the dorm freshman year.”
Lestrade said Oliveira is his only international friend.
“He’s the only international I know,” Lestrade said. “You meet friends through other acquaintances.”
Kithlanagamangala had advice for U.S. students and internationals. He said to treat everyone as an individual.
“Come with an open frame of mind,” he said. “Don’t put everyone in the same stack because we’re not the same.”