Social life/making friends on U.S. University campuses(international students’ experiences)

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Social life/making friends on U.S. University campuses (international students’ experiences)
Rebekah Nathan’s “My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student,” delves into the experiences of international students in the U.S. Nathan’s research project revolves around her submergence into the student life as a way of supplementing her vantage point. The author’s chapter, “As Others See Us” is quite detailed in enlightening her audience about the social experiences of these international students in the U.S. There is an understanding that Nathan details the prevalence of cultural discrimination as these students proceed to socialize and thrive in America. Social life and making friends on the U.S University campuses is significant for these international students to acquire a sense of belonging.
Nathan correctly asserts that cultural differences affect the social lives of these international students. During her stay on campus, she interacts with a Japanese student that was experiencing difficulties in reconnecting with her friends. She particularly complains about the ‘barrier’ that some phrases cause apropos of friendship(s) and socialization. In fact, she is clear about the hypocrisy surrounding phrases such as “see you soon,” if at all the parties do not exchange their phone contacts. The author’s claim is correct since her readers are aware of the troubles of socialization merely due to cultural disparities.

It is quite unfortunate that the Japanese student is conflicted on whether they should take the other person’s number or simply respond to the cliché phrases such as “see you soon.” The issue of culture, as depicted by Nathan is, is much deeper as it has the capability of causing the international students to succumb to estrangement in the U.S. Her perspective is supported by Fischer’s research as the article talks about friendlessness on the basis of culture and geographical demarcation (Fischer 2). It is regrettable that; while the international students relocate to the U.S. for The American Dream, they remain segregated.
The author affirms that oblivion of Americans toward other cultures impedes social interactions. Without working on assumption(s), Nathan first-hand experience(s) makes her realizes that the ‘independence’ of Americans causes them to dismiss other cultures. They believe that they do not need help from other people thus; most of them resort to only making friends with their fellow Americans. In fact, she proves this assertion by enlightening her readers that Americans even lack basic knowledge of other countries. The international students are aware of such stigmatizing events hence, they do not have any motivation to make friends or socialize with the Americans. Again, Fischer’s article supports the claim by reiterating that these international students have constant lamentations about making American friends (Fischer 3-4). These negative feelings from Americans also end up creating enmity with the international students’ who may resort to dismissing American cultures as well. Both parties, therefore, have a specific role to play in the creation of a safe space(s) for social interaction but Americans should be more culturally tolerant.
However, Nathan’s assertion that cultural affiliation hinders friendships and socialization is not completely correct. There are a great number of Americans that are often intrigued by individuals from different geographical regions. As a result, the international students make it easier for them to attempt and understand the vast scope of cultural differences. Fischer supports her position but also incorporates the idea(s) that cultural issues may only be a possibility of strained socialization. The uncertainties, therefore, make it quite difficult to fully agree to Nathan’s assertions and claims (Fischer 4). Again, with her claim, it would be difficult to find an explanation about the group(s) of Americans that have many international students as friends. There are salient contradictions augured when Nathan resorts to simply generalizing cultural issues as a barrier to social ties and friendship.
One issue that Nathan does not directly address is the issue of culture shock. There may be a realization that some of the Americans; in fact, experience culture shock which is misconstrued to depict cultural discrimination. It is unfair that the international students’ culture shock is ‘excused’ simply because they relocate to a foreign country, the U.S. Through Fischer article, the readers understand that some Americans desist from forming friendship these international students due to poor diction and lack of confidence (Fischer 3). She, therefore, supports the claim that Nathan has not paid enough attention to the issue of culture shock. The readers that only realize cultural discrimination from the perspective of these international students contradict their actions by supporting it from another angle. It is discriminative to dismiss the point of view of Americans regardless of their ‘superiority’ over other nations.
Nathan overlooks the idea that opinions and preferences are individual-based. Even if some Americans resort to only keep American friends, they should not be castigated on such grounds. Their decision(s) may, in fact, have nothing along the lines of cultural discrimination thus; Nathan should have been more sensitive to their feelings. Psychology also dictates that some individuals simply prefer to socialize with individuals which whom they share certain characteristics such as race and sex. She should not have simply focused on the international students during her case study, regardless of the fact that her was about them. It would have been plausible enough for her to also study the American students and realize their predicament(s) amid the international students. Again, there is word that some instructors, especially foreign ones, may resort to paying more attention to the international students. Overlooking the rights of American students, therefore, may end up deteriorating their academic progress. Instead of probing the Americans for having a stand, it may be helpful enough for Nathan to also advise the international students to be wary of the same. It makes the situation much easier when the international students do not have to constantly feel estranged in the U.S.
The Chapter, “As Others See Us” is metaphorical and looks into the experiences of international students in the U.S. Nathan is more oriented to the fact that the international students undergo avoidable struggles while living America, a foreign country. The author’s research seems ‘effective’ since she acquires first-hand information and data by enrolling as a freshman in an American university. However, there are rebuttals apropos of Nathan’s claims as she overlooks certain issues while fighting for the plight of international students. There is also an exploration of additional issues such as cultural shock that are not addressed by either Nathan or Fischer. Insofar as Fischer’s article supports the author’s assertions, they are not thorough and only look into the situation from one angle. Regardless, the debate still remains that socialization and making friends in the U.S. as an international student is often culturally tasking. Works Cited
Fischer, K. Many Foreign Students Are Friendless in the U.S., Study Finds. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2012.