Solomon Cho, an international student from Korea, meets with Mr. Bryan Boudreau.
International students: from various countries to BJU
Representing 50 countries, the 221 international students at Bob Jones University all came here for different reasons, but they share one thing in common: adjusting to America culturally, academically and socially.
Most international students choose to come to BJU for its Christian liberal arts programs, according to Mr. Bryan Boudreau, the admissions counselor and adviser for international students. In today’s society, degrees from the United States are very strong and respected in the world. Also, the students who come are looking for the Christian emphasis, he said.
Mikael Römer, a freshman Bible major, from Finland, felt the call to be in the ministry while he was in high school. His father said he should go to the U.S. because of the lack of Christian colleges in Finland, so they began searching for schools. After researching different schools for three or four years and making a trip to America to visit Christian schools here, Mikael decided on BJU.
Mr. Boudreau explained that international students must follow regulations that American students do not have to worry about. “There is a lot they have to go through that American students don’t realize,” he said.
One requirement is that before attending school, they must prove they can meet all projected costs, such as books, medical insurance, clothing, vacation, school supplies, personal needs and room, board and tuition. The money must be available in a bank account in order for them to be able to get a visa and other paperwork to come. For this school year at BJU, Mr. Boudreau said the projected cost was $22,341.
This process is often difficult and frustrating for students. Mr. Boudreau said that before students can obtain their visa, they must meet with an American consul in their own country. In this meeting, they must show the consul that they have the money available, that they have been accepted as a legitimate student, and that they do not intend to stay in the U.S. but will return to their country after finishing their studies.
Mr. Boudreau provides whatever help he can for students as they go through the visa application process, and he tries to build a personal relationship with each student before he or she even comes to BJU. Once on campus, the students must meet with Mr. Boudreau who then reports their arrival to a government database that tracks each student.
BJU does all it can to help new students acclimate to American culture. This fall, the Academic Success Center offered a workshop called “Study Tips for Internationals,” by Dr. Grace Hargis who teaches English as a Second Language courses. Dr. Hargis teaches the Bridge to College English program for international students who need extra help with the language. The University requires the incoming students to take a TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language). If the student does not receive the minimum score set by the University, he enters the Bridge to College English program.
Another change for internationals is the differences in teaching styles. Fernande Pierre-Louis, a junior, was born and raised in Haiti until she moved to America five years ago. She said that teachers here are more approachable than in Haiti. “It’s one of the facts that I really like here,” she said. “You can go to teachers and just talk to them without being afraid. You can ask them questions and they will help you.”
Besides academic and financial challenges, international students also face cultural adjustments as they come to the U.S.
Erik Matthia, a junior who was born in the U.S. but has lived in Germany since he was 3 years old, said the biggest cultural change he experienced was how people interact. “They are a lot more friendly than in Germany,” he said. “Germans are more standoffish. And I had to get used to people that I hardly knew at all coming up to me and being my buddy and asking me all these questions.”
To help students adjust, the University provides an international student handbook, with tips on matters such as American expectations for relationships, personal values, health care and immigration information.
For university students who have international roommates or friends, Mr. Boudreau says the best way to help them assimilate is to strike up a friendship with them as soon as possible and provide whatever help possible.
Because of distance and cost, many international students are not able to go home over the breaks in the school year. Fleur Allen, a senior Spanish major, from New Zealand, has not been home since she came to school as a freshman. Over breaks she has worked at The Wilds, gone on a missions trip to Mexico, and worked at BJU’s summer camps. One of the biggest adjustments that she made as she came to America was adjusting to the cultural expectations. “You learn to not hold on to your own culture, but just to enjoy the culture you are in and see how much you can learn and embrace,” she said.
Dr. Hargis said that simply being friendly can go a long way. She also suggested that American students invite internationals to their homes when possible or help them in class by sending them their notes.
Even though the international students have more requirements, they continue to overcome the challenges and enjoy studying in America. “I like being here,” Mikael said. “I like being engaged in lots of ministries like extensions and meeting new people, and I like living in the [residence halls].”
