As Elon’s study abroad program continues to expand each year, more and more students are taking the chance to abandon the comforts and familiarities of America to travel internationally. Hurdling new cultures, languages and customs, their distant experiences always bring them home toting unusual stories and photos. But what about the other end of the spectrum? What about those students who study abroad at Elon? Take a look at these foreign students who currently refer to Elon as their home away from home.

“Can I get an order of the tay-kus?” Elon freshman Ahmed Hassan asked. As the waiters at the Mexican restaurant openly laughed at his mispronunciation, Hassan made a mental note: “tacos.”

While it is a humiliating situation for anyone, Hassan has been coping with unusual cultural aspects way before his first visit to a Mexican restaurant earlier this year.

“American slang terms, gothic kids and drinking habits were all really surprising to me,” he said. “But since I moved here [last year] from Iraq, I feel like I have adjusted pretty well.”

However, Hassan is not the only student on campus immersed in differences; in fact, he is only one of 93 international students currently studying at Elon.

François Masuka, director of international student and faculty scholar services at the Isabella Cannon Centre for International Studies, said Elon recruits abroad, as well as heavily relying on word-of-mouth, to attract foreign students to the university.

“The dean and all of us here are aiming for Elon to see how much there is to learn and gain from having more international students in our midst,” he said. “It is so much different to learn from a human being about their native culture than it is to read about in a book.”

Australian native and freshman Tash Moore agreed, saying her status as a foreign student automatically attracts more attention to her opinion during class.

“I bring a different view and can point out differences in Australian and American systems,” she said.

Hassan said his peers are more inclined to learn about himself and his home country because of America’s current relations with Iraq.

“It gives me a great chance to create a bridge between my culture and the American culture. I can give others a simple idea of how we live, both before and after the war,” he said. “It is my mission to show the truth and give others an idea about my country and take whatever I can from this experience and the American culture.”

While studying abroad in Charleston, S.C., during his junior year of high school, Hassan discovered Elon and was immediately attracted to the small, beautiful and diverse campus it provides. On the other hand, Moore became close friends with Elon students studying abroad in Australia and decided to attend for a semester after receiving a scholarship.

While she misses being able to cook for herself and she feels stripped of her independence in the classroom, Moore said one of her favorite aspects is living in the International Pavilion.

“We all share the common aspect of being non-American and can talk about our homes and share our different cultures,” she said.

While Moore is greatly involved with the International Pavilion and international student activities the Isabella Cannon Centre, freshman Katie Day has found success and independence at Elon on her own.

While she is currently struggling with Elon’s colder and more fast-paced environment than her native home in the British Islands, she said she has easily adjusted to life here.

“I tend to manage okay by just keeping myself busy,” she said. “My family is still pretty close and it’s interesting to be exposed to things like chain restaurants and stores that I never knew about back home.”

Masuka said the Isabella Cannon Centre tries to be as accommodating as possible to foreign students by assisting them before, during and after they arrive on campus.

“People confront and struggle with many different beliefs, food, music and education here, and we try to make their transition as smooth as possible,” he said. “From personal experience, I feel Elon does a lot more [to accommodate] for their international students than at most other schools.”

Providing community programming and social events, such as trips to the zoo, hikes, visiting Southpoint Mall or celebrate international holidays, Masuka tries to mesh international and national students as well as he can because he finds their presence on campus so influential.

“To me, I see the experience as being two-way; it gives students a chance to come here and gain a different perspective on life and their thinking, become exposed to different languages and countries and have a broader view on life,” he said. “Since they have so much to share about their culture it enriches both those who come, and those who they encounter. We all win.”

American senior Stacey Bradbury said she has attended several of the international student social events and has realized the value of foreign students on campus.

“I feel privileged to go to a school that acknowledges and celebrates the diversity both on the global level and on the Elon campus. Learning from our peers is vital to understanding, knowledge and tolerance,” she said. “I think it’s fantastic that we’re able to have foreigners at our school that are willing to teach us about where they’re from and why understanding their respective culture is important.”

Special Features Editor: Andie Diemer - 02/15/07