It is fun being an international student. Typically I am asked what country are you from and how long will you be here? I am unable to count the amount of students I have meet over the course of time I have been here. They also like to ask do you remember my name. I always remember faces but the names do not always stick. I feel like the students know me better than I know them. They remember my name better than I can remember their names even though they do not always pronounce it correctly. Quite frequently students visit me, call me, text me, or send me a message on facebook just to check on me. There has also been a few times when students assumed that I was in some additional classes and they would call me ask if I was okay because I did not show up for class. The students are very observant of their surroundings and the people within them.
Students have been very interested to know about me and the United States as a whole. Many students have the desire to obtain their Masters or/and PhD at a university in the US. I tend to hear students say they pray that they have the opportunity to go the US in the future. It is many students dream to cross the borders of the US and learn about the American Culture. Growing up I always heard about people from other countries really wanting to come to the US and now I am witnessing it firsthand.
Even though majority of the students at KNUST are Ghanaians there is diversity with students from other African Countries. The second largest population of students is Nigerians with Nigeria being a neighbor geographically. I never imagine that I would be able to distinguish between students based on what African Country they originated from but, most of the time it obvious. Differences typically come from how an individual dresses, speaks, and their ego. Ghanaians are very humble soft spoken individuals for the most part. Nigerians tend to be more outspoken and adventurous. Nigerians students resemble the typical American student more than a Ghanaian student.
When it comes to campus life students tend to primary socialize with people from their home country. Campus housing is even organized where Nigerians have separate residential halls on a particular side of campus. Even though the students attend the same classes and live on the same campus their interactions with one another are limited. As I have become familiar with different students here they are very fast to tell you what country they are from. I am still unsure the exact reasons but many Ghanians and Nigerians do not have positive comments to say about one another. I hope one day that students here will be able to look past their difference and find the similarities amongst their origin diversity. It has been pleasure to learn about the cultures of all students.
As a result, being an international student I am learning something each day that is sharpening my mind for the future. This study abroad experience is an eye opener to life outside my own culture and country.
I am the same way, i cant remember anybody's name unless they have a name tag attached to their shirt. But i can remember what someone wears or how they wear their hair. Its also interesting that Ghanaians/Nigerians are different in personalities... When i think about it i guess its the same with the US with kids form different districts such as Davison, Grand Blanc, Goodrich, Flint and etc... We are all different as well i guess i really didnt realize it until you pointed it out whith the Ghanaians/Nigerians.
ReplyDelete