International students face unique problems
Ajeeta Khatiwada
Issue date: 2/5/07 Section: Opinion
According to the data presented in the Mcneese State University's official Web site, there are almost 8,500 students coming from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds, who jointly make our university what it is now. Out of all the students attending Mcneese State University, about 350 students (data provided by International Student Affairs Office) are international students coming from about 50 different nations. Our university has been trying and has been successful to some extent in unifying students from all over the world, in spite of their different cultural, social or economic backgrounds. However, the question remains whether our university has been able to give to the international students the attention required for adjusting them in a foreign land, coping with novel situations and maintaining good grades in. I am trying to attract the attention of responsible people for improving the current situation of the international students within the University.
International students often have none or few relatives, close friends or family members residing in United States of America. So, at the times of sudden natural calamities, disaster and potential hazards, they often don't have anyone to look to except few friends and the university. Hence, special attention should be given to the international student's security when they are a part of the university. For example, as you may know, an international students' apartment complex located at 617 Cusic Street, University Square, burnt down over the winter break. This led to many international students having to leave immediately. It is important for the university to look upon such issues and
support the students during those times.
Furthermore, unlike U.S. citizens, international students with F-1 visa are confined to work on campus and no more than 20 hours per week. Among the jobs available on campus, most of the places are separated only for graduate students, which lead to limited job opportunities for the international undergraduates. Satish Shrestha aged 19, a second semester freshmen majoring in Physics shares a similar story of how he barely had money to pay for his dorm when he couldn't get a job during his first semester at the university. Since many international students come from developing countries with weaker economic backgrounds, even what may be considered a small amount to an American can be significant to international students. So, I think the university should consider a wider range of job opportunities for international students of McNeese State University.
International students often have none or few relatives, close friends or family members residing in United States of America. So, at the times of sudden natural calamities, disaster and potential hazards, they often don't have anyone to look to except few friends and the university. Hence, special attention should be given to the international student's security when they are a part of the university. For example, as you may know, an international students' apartment complex located at 617 Cusic Street, University Square, burnt down over the winter break. This led to many international students having to leave immediately. It is important for the university to look upon such issues and
support the students during those times.
Furthermore, unlike U.S. citizens, international students with F-1 visa are confined to work on campus and no more than 20 hours per week. Among the jobs available on campus, most of the places are separated only for graduate students, which lead to limited job opportunities for the international undergraduates. Satish Shrestha aged 19, a second semester freshmen majoring in Physics shares a similar story of how he barely had money to pay for his dorm when he couldn't get a job during his first semester at the university. Since many international students come from developing countries with weaker economic backgrounds, even what may be considered a small amount to an American can be significant to international students. So, I think the university should consider a wider range of job opportunities for international students of McNeese State University.
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Wang lee hoo
posted 2/24/07 @ 1:10 PM CST
Good job! Small article but lots of information. I support everything you say and they are absolutely true.
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