International students expose American peers to diversity
Posted on 3/3/2010
Topics: Living in the U.S.
Prospective international students who plan to enroll in U.S. undergraduate programs are often attracted by the opportunity to learn about a different culture, but there is also a growing sense among Americans that hosting international students broadens their own horizons.
Students from China, Turkey, France, Germany and many other countries have a unique chance to learn about America first-hand and take that knowledge back home to try to foster better relations between their home country and the U.S. However, by exposing American students to greater diversity they also ensure that the effort can be mutual.
Among the many different ways Americans can learn about the world on campuses that boast a significant international student population are social events, ethnic clubs and sporting events.
In fact, sports like badminton, soccer or rugby are far more popular abroad, and many Americans may not have a chance to learn them unless they attend a university that decides to add an international dimension to their intramural sports.
Jon Randle, a sports assistant at the University of Iowa, whose international student population makes up 8 percent of its enrollment, recently spoke with the Daily Iowan about the importance of having international students involved in sports.
"They bring a different flavor of a sport to campus, especially after growing up in their home countries for almost their whole lives," he said, quoted by the news provider.
"People growing up in America aren't always exposed to that," he added.
Students from China, Turkey, France, Germany and many other countries have a unique chance to learn about America first-hand and take that knowledge back home to try to foster better relations between their home country and the U.S. However, by exposing American students to greater diversity they also ensure that the effort can be mutual.
Among the many different ways Americans can learn about the world on campuses that boast a significant international student population are social events, ethnic clubs and sporting events.
In fact, sports like badminton, soccer or rugby are far more popular abroad, and many Americans may not have a chance to learn them unless they attend a university that decides to add an international dimension to their intramural sports.
Jon Randle, a sports assistant at the University of Iowa, whose international student population makes up 8 percent of its enrollment, recently spoke with the Daily Iowan about the importance of having international students involved in sports.
"They bring a different flavor of a sport to campus, especially after growing up in their home countries for almost their whole lives," he said, quoted by the news provider.
"People growing up in America aren't always exposed to that," he added.
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