You might already have heard the sentence, or are very likely to hear it from MU’s International Center faculty, in your international students’ orientation, “Welcome to Columbia, the center of Missouri, the center of America.”
Yes. Here you are, in a tranquil city in the middle of the United States.
There are so many things for you to get to know before you get lost in various feelings. Here are some tips for you to avoid getting intimidated by the strange life here, disappointed due to your high expectations of the exciting life in the U.S. or frustrated by language obstacles.
**Break down language obstacles**
MU had 1,699 international students enrolled for the fall semester 2010 out of 32,415 total students. You’ll hear people speaking different languages on campus, so there’s no reason to hide your English deep in your throat and get intimidated by any English conversation.
Search for programs such as [American LIFE](http://international.missouri.edu/get-involved/friendship-and-support/american-life/), [Email Partners](http://international.missouri.edu/get-involved/friendship-and-support/e-mail-partners/index.php) and [Language Partners](http://womenscenter.missouri.edu/?page_id=57) on MU’s website. These will be your comfort zones to practice English.
The Language Partner Program, also called LPP, pairs you with one native English speaker who will meet with you once a week to help you practice conversational English. The program is also a great opportunity to learn about American culture and life in Columbia.
Sophomore Sarah Carter has been a language partner since last year. She said getting involved with this program is a great way to meet local people and get to know the school better.
“It also breaks down walls and prevents people from being just grouped into international students,” Carter said. “Just try to be open to new things and even open to your partner. Becoming friends with each other is the best reward from the program.”
**Huge culture shocks**
“Be aware that the environment you are entering is nothing like the one you’re used to,” Leah Hurt, who was involved in LLP as a native partner, suggests. “Be tolerant of the openness and the attitude that Americans have.”
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you have a lot of them. You will learn a lot more about American culture from your roommate.
Sporting events like football games would be a great example of typical American culture, Hurt said.
“MU football games and tailgating is a must,” said Joey Clemons, an International Banking Consultant in Columbia. “Events like Mizzou After Dark are worthy to attend. You will meet great people and even make life long relationships.”
Mizzou After Dark provide fun and alcohol-free late night parties. Free food, fun crafts, karaoke and more drive diverse groups of students and break cultural boundaries.
Check the MU International Center [website](http://international.missouri.edu/) to find more organizations you are interested in. AIESEC, for example, is a great way to engage in the wider Columbia community while making your resume look good with leadership, event coordination and multicultural experience. Look for such networking platforms.
Also, spend some time just wandering around downtown Columbia. Get to know the place through your steps.
**Get settled**
Trivial matters like banking, housing and getting used to the food and transportation will surely bother you for a while.
Some might take advantage of students from their native country who have cars to offer rides, and some will look for organizations such as the Chinese Christian Church, which provides free trips to Walmart on Fridays.
An easy way to ask for help is to find an organization for your own country. The people there have been in your situation when they first got here and would be willing to help you out.
Learn to use resources and find information. Take as much time as you need to go over information about getting a driver’s license and finding local restaurant and shopping mall deals on websites. It’s important to know where to find the right information before you launch your independent life calendar.
**Are you a moneybag?**
If not, you are probably dying to save money on expensive textbooks and life expenses as much as possible.
The Textbook Game, located in downtown Columbia, has good deals on textbooks. Also check out online websites such as Amazon. You don’t need to buy everything from the University Bookstore.
Make appointments with advisers at either the International Center or the Career Center for employment information. It’s important to know exactly what your eligibility of employment is, such as how many hours you are permitted to work. Jobs at Campus Dining Services, University Bookstore and libraries are top choices and are among the easiest to get.
Some international students are able to find jobs as foreign language tutors. The pay is better than any on-campus job, plus you are making use of your native language.
**Class begins**
Talk to professors and let them know they have international students in their lectures. Let them know how you are doing with class assignments and be honest about your difficulties.
Course content such as political science, journalism and literature, which need some basic understanding of American culture, can be hard to understand. Make appointments with professors. Besides the help you will get, you will also find how few people make use of professors’ office hours.
It’s brave of you to go abroad for education, get a life in a new environment and deal with all kinds of situations you probably never encountered before with language you haven’t yet gotten used to. Make the most of this experience as a way to broaden your proverbial horizon.
