Now that we’re in college, it seems juvenile to harp on friendship. This isn’t kindergarten. Most of us have learned how to make friends and if we don’t, it’s usually by choice. 

There is, however, a type of student who has a significantly harder time making friends, and that is the international students.

This summer I studied abroad in China. While there, I was fine not knowing anybody. I got to my classes just fine and to outside destinations in an adequate amount of time. The second week there, I met three native Chinese students who spoke to me and made me feel welcome. Furthermore, they made me feel at home. If I hadn’t met those three girls, I would have still had a fun time in China, but my experience would have been significantly less exciting, and honestly, less cultural.

It’s the same situation for our international students here. They’re here to learn and they’re eager. If they weren’t eager to learn, they wouldn’t have traveled so far to be here. It’s important for students to engage with them – that can be anything from eating lunch with them, to inviting them to a party, to just studying together. They want to hang out with you.

Last spring, a girl from South Korea came to study culinary arts here at the university. The way dates fell, she started in America in January, but didn’t graduate from her high school until February. She had left her high school and everyone she knew to come and study in an unknown territory. She was heartbroken. 

We threw her a surprise graduation party with Korean food, gifts, cake and an ungodly amount of dancing. She cried and thanked all of us. Her name is Dayeon and to this day, she is my best friend.

If I hadn’t stepped out of my comfort zone to introduce myself, I never would have known her. It blows my mind to think that there are people on campus who haven’t talked to an international student. We have students from China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Taiwan, Togo and so many other countries. Having these students on our campus allows us to travel the world while staying at home, and it is our duty to make them feel as at home as we are.

So, next time you see an international student eating alone or working out alone or playing video games alone, introduce yourself. Walk over to Powers Hall and sign up for the Language Partner Program. Accept the invitations to international events on Facebook and via email. It is one of the best decisions you can make while you attend college, and when you leave that foundation of friendship will follow you into your profession.