It is very difficult understanding the class assignments. Sometimes they are very complex and I get worried that I will not be able to do my assignments. I do not know if I would have made it without the international assistant and would have to go home again. When I met my international assistant and the world was much brighter. The student was there to guide me and teach all the things you need when first arriving at a college, such as getting my dorm room in place, helping me get a new cell phone, and showing me how to get around Boston. This student also answered my many questions about Americans. I wanted to fit in as best I could, but it is difficult when you look and act differently than a lot of the other people. I learned how I was both similar and different to the Americans at the college and in Boston.

I was so pleased that Boston had this international assistant program for incoming students. It really helped my transition to the school and let me focus on my school work rather than my cultural problems. I cannot imagine what it would have been like if I came to the United States and did not have someone helping me out.

4) it is the responsibility of the international assistant to make Belen (?

)'s experiences in the United States as non-stressful and rewarding as possible. In order to do this, I would have to make sure that she begins to feel at home and not alone and without help from others on the campus.

It seems to me that there are two things that need to be done to help her. The first is for just the two of us to go places together. It is not fair for her to have to be with a whole group of American students who are all talking fast and at the same time. She gets...

If necessary, I can also invite just one of the other students who speaks her language to come with us when we go different places. This would help me know what her specific questions are and to give her answers that she can understand. We can also go places where language is not necessary, such as to an exhibit or a sports game. Art and sports are two activities where no words are needed. We can enjoy these from two different cultures without having to worry about conversations and sharing ideas with one another.
By having the two (or three) of us together only, that would keep her from going to students from her country every time she felt nervous. Because she stays with these other students from her country, it shows how afraid she is of being alone in a larger crowd of Americans. The Office of International Students and Scholars would be able to give additional advice and also let both of us know more about what activities are on campus for international students. She could also talk with the counselor or psychologist if she was unhappy. It has only been two months that she has been on campus. It takes time to adjust. I would let her know my experiences, so she did not feel she was the only one who felt home sick and culture shocked.

I think it would be important for me to see her at least once a week until she started feeling more secure and comfortable in her surroundings. If I am named an international assistant, I would be responsible and want to spend at least that much time with the student. I want to make sure that this student was as fortunate as I was when I came to BC and had help from my international assistant.