Being an international student

A smoke-free world

2006-11-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

When Arizonans voted "yes" to ban smoking in restaurants and bars this November’s election, I had mixed feelings about it.

I am an “occasional” smoker. I enjoy lighting up a cigarette with a drink when I am in a bar or in the club. With the new law in Arizona, I will no longer be able to do that.

I used to smoke much more before I came to the United States, especially as a teenager in Serbia.

Almost all of my friends in Serbia smoke. My dad smoked up to three packs a day until five years ago when a doctor told him to quit. He had four by-pass surgeries last year, and I couldn’t be happier that he is alive and well today.

It’s a horrible habit in Serbia, especially among the youth. There, smokers rarely pay attention if they smoke around a pregnant woman or a child in the public or at home.

When I came to the U.S., I realized how wrong is to smoke around children and adult non-smokers. I started to respect people’s rights of having a smoke-free environment, because I saw the difference.

Whenever I go back home, I try to advocate that.

While I was unsatisfied for a moment about Arizona banning smoking in bars and restaurants, I also felt jealous. I felt jealous, because I wish something like this happens in my country and people realize how much smoking is bad for them and those around them.

Beyond boundaries

2006-11-09T22:28:00.000-08:00

It amazes me how you never know where you might find, and who might be your true friends. I personally thought that once you reached a certain age, the friendships you made so far were it, and that people you would meet from now on would simply come and go.

I was wrong.

I will never forget when I landed in Seattle on Sept. 23, 2001 and had to go to school right the next day. I was exhausted, lost, tired, not knowing the campus, people, where to go and what to do.

On my first class, a moonlike smiling face with high cheekbones approached me.

"Hi, are you an international student?" she asked.
"Yes," I answered in surprise.
"Well we have something in common. I am Sharon Rigbi, an international student from Israel. Nice meeting you."

That's how I met Sharon.

Friendship with Sharon helped me with my initial culture shock, because we were in the same situation. We were so different, but at the same time so similar. We sometimes had the same type of dark humor that only people who have backgrounds as we do, and who lived in war-torn countries, understand. For lots of Americans, we looked weird, and I don't blame them.

Even though I moved to Arizona last year to complete my studies and Sharon graduated and is now a working woman in Seattle, whenever we talk over the phone, or I go for a visit, it seems like we never got apart.

Because of Sharon, I had a chance to visit Israel this summer (shown in the photo). And it wasn't just a simple visit, it was her wedding. She and her now husband bought me a ticket and allowed me to pay it off whenever I can, just to be there with them. I don't think that "really special" were the right words to describe how I felt.

My trip to Israel made me think that how despite the fact that there are differences between people in terms of culture, language and religion, there are no boundaries for friendships.

My priceless Navajo friends

2006-11-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Since I was a little girl, my dream was to travel, see different places and meet different cultures. I grew up in a dominantly Caucasian society, and I can clearly remember when I first saw an African American.

I was 13 years old, playing with my friends in a park. We saw a man passing by, and we were really curious with the way he looked. We’ve never seen a person with a darker skin before, except in the movies. We were all excited to come up to him and ask in English “what time is it.” When one of us had enough courage to approach him, we were all disappointed when he gave us an answer in pure Serbian.

Coming to the U.S., I had the pleasure to meet people from various cultures. Being a journalist is definitely a great excuse to learn and write about different traditions.

In Arizona, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about Native American cultures. I was amazed to discover that Arizona is a home to 21 federally recognized Native American tribes.

After writing an article for The State Press Magazine about two Navajo brothers putting their ASU studies on hold to fight in Iraq, we became really good friends. John and Cheston Bailon invited me to visit them and their family in Shiprock, N.M., and be a part of a traditional ceremony.

I was more than flattered.

In Shiprock, I spent two great days hanging out with the family and sightseeing (shown in the picture). I have never seen nature like that. On one side there was a moon-like landscape and on the other snowy mountains.

Spending time with their family definitely reminded me of my own. We found so many things in common. They enjoyed learning about my culture, and I enjoyed learning about theirs.

I still get e-mails from their mom checking if I am doing ok. They made me feel like a family member, and I made sure that they know that they are part of my family as well.

Friends like these are priceless.

Including international students into ASU curriculum

2006-10-26T20:45:00.000-07:00

I’ve transferred to ASU last August, and since then I’ve met just couple of international students. I was really surprised how hard is to find other international students on campus.

I even signed up for the International Student Club, but it threw me off guard when I saw bible study in their newsletters. What does a club that should bring together different ethnic and religious, or non-religious, groups have to do with bible study?

I wish that there was a club where both Americans and international students can get together and exchange experiences and knowledge. We could both benefit so much.

I was reading about innovative campus strategies and ways to include international students to enhance the curriculum at the American Council of Education (ACE) Web site. I was really amazed with what other U.S. colleges and universities are doing.

For example, Beloit College in Wisconsin has the annual international poetry reading (shown in the image), where students are asked to read poetry, their own work or of others, in their native country's language.

All the way in Hawaii, Kapi'olani Community College has an International Café, an informal gathering place where international students can meet local students for cultural and language exchanges.

I think that ASU should step up and include its international students into the curriculum. It shouldn’t cost a lot of money, and it will certainly be beneficial for both Americans and international students.

What should I cut out of my diet?

2006-10-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Last week, I watched the documentary “Super Size Me,” by Morgan Spurlock. I heard and read so much about this movie in the past, but never actually had a chance to see it. Since in my previous blog, I wrote about culture and weight, it was perfect timing for me to see this documentary.

The movie made me think. But it didn’t make me think about McDonalds, it made me think about my eating habits.

While I understand what fast food can do to your body and that people are better off without it, what about us who don’t eat it? I don’t drink pop, I don’t eat fast food or ice cream, and I still packed on a lot of pounds since I came to the U. S. What should I cut out of my diet?

For international students like me, who grew up in the city and are used to walking a lot, Arizona turned out to be not so walk friendly. Part of it has to do with the heat in the summer, but also the big distances between places.

Back at home, I used to walk to my elementary and high school, or to the grocery store. Here, every weekend my boyfriend drives us to get weekly supplies.

Back at home, if I wanted to see a friend, I would just walk over to their place. Here, my friends are all over the Valley, and the only way to see them is by driving.

After seeing the movie, I wished I was a McDonald addict. It would have been easier for me to quit eating it than finding time to walk.

Culture and weight

2006-10-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

When I came to the U.S., I couldn’t help but notice all the different fast food restaurants on every corner. Jack in the Box, Burger King, Taco Bell and not to forget McDonalds usually all piled up in just one neighborhood block.

In Belgrade, we only have McDonalds. Eating there was almost like a treat, because it was so expensive for our budget. Now, I am thankful for it, because I grew up eating healthy food.

The first thing I noticed in fast food restaurants in the U.S. was portion sizes. I still cannot believe how one person, for example, can drink a gallon of soda for lunch, or eat a super-size portion of fried chicken and fries.

I will be honest, Serbs are not all about healthy food. Every cake has to have butter and chocolate, we love bread and pastry, and we eat a lot meat and cheese. But as I saw a recent study about culture and weight, it made me think about why we don’t have as much problems with obesity as Americans do? It’s all about the portion.

I would add that moving, in terms of walking or biking, has a crucial role as well. I never had problems with my weight back at home, because I was constantly moving. Here, I have to be careful about what I eat, because I don’t move as much.

When I started living alone, I realized how much eating healthy was important. I thought I could survive on sandwiches and junk food, but after a month I started asking my mom for recipes.

I now admire and appreciate my mom even more, who as an electrical engineer worked full time, raised three children and always had a different meal on the table for us every day!

Welcome to my town of Belgrade

2006-09-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have been fortunate to have a good ear for languages. Americans often tell me that they can slightly notice my Eastern European accent when I am speaking English. Usually the spelling and the real pronunciation of my first name gives me away, because Ljiljana definitely doesn’t sound native.

I think that international students are ambassadors of their country and as almost every student, I like to answer questions about my home. It’s an integral part of me and who I am.

Some Americans assume that I am tired of always being asked about the Balkan wars, but I am not. It’s part of my country’s history and while I might not be proud of it, I answer every question the best I can.

The question I enjoy the most is what my Belgrade is like.

I am proud of the fact that Belgrade, or Beograd (White City), is a 7,000-year-old city. It sits on two rivers Sava and Danube that divide the Old and New Belgrade. Belgrade has so many beauties including historical monuments, architecture, parks and museums that even a month wouldn’t be enough to see everything.

The fresh smell of the bakeries on every corner and the great food in the restaurants are so inviting that packing couple of pounds should not come as a surprise. But those pounds can easily be shed when the night falls, because Belgrade is famous for its nightlife that sometimes last until morning hours.

It’s hard to leave Belgrade, once you’ve seen and experience it. I could go on and on, but I think it’s better to see it from a foreigner’s perspective. Take five minutes and see what Don Pugh, an Australian, has to say about Belgrade. Enjoy and I hope to see you there soon.

Proposition 300, nothing wrong with it

2006-09-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, ASU students rallied against banning in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. The initiative is part of Proposition 300, which is one of the ballot propositions adopted by Arizona Legislative Council members at the July public meetings this year.

I understand why students rallied against it, but I read the proposition, and I agree with it. As an international student who has a legal visa status in United States, I will never be eligible for in-state tuition, and I think that the same should apply to every non-citizen or non-green card holder.

In the article “Students rally for immigrant rights,” published on Wednesday by The State Press, one student pointed out the negative effects of Proposition 300 on illegal immigrants brought to the United States as children.

While I understand the concern, I think that if the U.S. government decides to give legal status to those who have been in the States for more than 10 or 20 years, then Proposition 300 will not look as bad as the students at the rally saw it. In that case, it will not affect immigrants who were brought to America as children, but it will affect those who should be affected.

Looking from my perspective, I think it’s unfair for the students of illegal immigrant status to be treated differently than someone like me. I also came because of the American dream, as they did. If I didn’t have my eldest sister, a Ph.D. electrical engineer, to pay for my out-of-state tuition, I would have never gotten this far. I understand what drives illegal immigrants to cross the border, but I am also asking someone to understand me too.

The safest place on Earth

2006-09-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

On Sept. 11, 2006, The State Press published James Kindle’s special “Five years, five lives.” The article covered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks from five different perspectives. Kindle wrote that “everyone has a [Sept. 11] story” from which we can all learn from, and I completely agree.

I have a story too.

I got my visa on Sept. 11, 2001. The U.S. embassy wasn’t open in Belgrade due to NATO bombing in 1999, and Serbian citizens had to go to Budapest, Hungary, to apply for a visa.

It was early morning, Central European time. There I was standing in line nervously waiting for my visa interview, thoughts tumbling in my head. I was so excited about my studies in the U. S. I’ve dreamt about it since I was little. They called my name and after a couple of brief questions, the embassy representative told me to come back at noon and collect my visa.

What a happy day! I was going to study in America. I took my visa at noon, hopped on a bus and was on my way to Belgrade that same afternoon. But horrifying news waited for me at home when I arrived later that night. Both my parents were awake anxiously waiting for me. The twin towers in New York had collapsed.

At that moment, I realized that I was among the last ones that day to receive a U.S. visa. As soon as the terrorist attacks happened, the U.S. embassies closed around the world. I didn’t know what to make out of it. I was supposed to travel on Sept. 16, but all the flights to the U.S. were canceled till further notice.

I was 20 years old, leaving my home for the first time. It was hard for me, but even harder for my parents. I was so scared that I forgot about my dream. Even after 10 years of Balkan wars, I was feeling safer at home than anywhere else. But my dad convinced me otherwise.

I will never forget when he said, “If there is a safest place on Earth, it would be America.” He would have never let me go if he didn’t believe in it. From that day, I believe in that too.

If you haven’t read Kindle’s special, you should. Different perspectives give more insight into every event, especially into the Sept. 11 attacks. My story should tell you that America is still, despite everything, the safest place on Earth.

Americans: loud, geographically challenged and smile too much

2006-09-05T15:23:00.000-07:00

Couple of moths ago, I overheard two girls talking in the gym locker room about how their trip to Europe sucked this summer. The reason for it was that people in Paris were rude and nobody smiled and said hello in Germany.

Well, I am an international student from Serbia studying at Arizona State University, and I have a couple of things to say about Americans. Americans are loud, geographically and politically challenged and smile too much. While I have met Americans who are exceptions to what I previously wrote, those three characteristics were the first thing I noticed when I arrived to the United States.

Loud – In the bus, library or on the street, either talking on a cell phone, to a dog or a friend, Americans are simply too loud. I though that Serbians are loud. My boyfriend always tells me to lower my voice when I talk to my parents over the phone. But he is Polish.

While I can accept Americans talking loud in the bus or on the street, talking loud in the library is simply unacceptable. Libraries are meant to be quiet, because people read and study there. I started avoiding the library on campus, because it’s quieter outside than inside.

Geographically and politically challenged – It’s really not my fault that Serbia sounds similar to Syria and Siberia. If you’re not sure what I said the first time, please don’t guess, just ask again. There is nothing wrong with asking.

Another note on guessing - I talked to an ASU Turkish graduate student, and he said that what most Americans ask him is if Turks speak and write Arabic. They don’t. They speak Turkish and write with the Latin alphabet. Don’t guess, just ask.

Smile too much – While you must wonder about what is wrong with smiling too much, for me sometimes less is more. When a stranger smiles at me, thoughts in my head are:

I don’t know you.
Mind your own business.
Do you need anything?

In Serbia we don’t smile too much, because we are all busy going somewhere, minding our business and there is no time or need to smile at people walking by. We smile at our friends, acquaintances, family and neighbors.

Also smiling too much looks fake to me. I am glad that you whitened your teeth, but why don’t you keep your smiles for someone you feel really genuine about?

Going to a foreign country is always tough, and knowing a little bit about customs and culture of that country is a must. If you’re planning on traveling to Europe, take some time and look at the World Citizen Guide, which was put together by a group of Southern Methodist University students in Dallas in 2004. It’s pretty good. I wish I had a guide like that when I came to the States.