Most students consider Auburn's culture to be different from the culture of their hometowns. To international students, the difference is a bit more radical.
On top of the stress of class and everyday life of any college student, international students must constantly speak a second language, learn the ins-and-outs of American culture and live oceans away from their families.
"Conversation is difficult," Akari Ogawa, a sophomore in economics from Tokyo said. "In junior high school and high school we just learned reading and listening. We didn't learn speaking."
Ogawa said she is here on a 10-month foreign exchange program with a group of 30 students from Nihon University in Japan. She and her classmates have been in Auburn since March and will return home in December.
Satona Hayakawa and Ken Katayama, fellow Nihon exchange students, said they agree with Ogawa that language is a challenge, but is a significant part of why they are here.
"I want to practice speaking English many, many times so I can know it," Hayakawa said.
Like many Auburn students who go to Italy or Spain for a semester, international students find being immersed in the language and culture is the best way to learn.
"While I'm here, I feel like I should spend more time with my American friends and get used to things here." Teresa Tian, senior in food science, said. "If you don't speak English, it can get better. I tell my American friends to tell me if they do not understand my pronunciation or grammar. Then I can get better."
Many international students go through Auburn's Intensive English Program to improve their language skills and become more familiar with American culture.
Despite the challenge of communication, one Auburn tradition excites foreign and domestic students alike.
"I had never seen football before," Tian said. "I see why Americans get so crazy. You feel like you are a part of Auburn at football games. It's very exciting."
Katayama said he also feels the electric atmosphere of a Saturday on The Plains.
"I love football. It's so enthusiastic," Katayama said. "I've gone to all three games this year."
Other than the great staple of football, international students appreciate Auburn's other qualities.
"Everyone here is very friendly and they stop and talk to each other," Tian said. "Beijing is a big city, so everyone is working very fast and do not have much time to stay with friends and family because they are so busy."
This aspect of southern charm is new for many foreign students.
"I like the people here," Ogawa said. "Everyone is so kind. In Tokyo, if I don't know a person and pass them, we walk by each other and do not smile. But here, people smile."
For those who grew up in cities, Auburn's surroundings are just as appealing as its people.
"I like Auburn's nature," Hayakawa said. "It is different from where I live."
While many international students said they are enjoying their time here, they often miss the familiarity of home.
Family, friends and food were the top three things both Tian and Katayama said they miss most.
Auburn makes every effort to offer cultural comforts and make the transition an easy one.
Charus Campbell, assistant director for Greek Life and Intercultural Programs, said his office helps set up airport pick-ups, arranges housing for students who arrive before their apartment move-in date, assists in setting up insurance and offers intercultural events to help them acclimate to American culture.
According to Campbell, the International Student Organization (ISO) holds events celebrating various cultural festivals and holidays to encourage cultural awareness.
This includes the annual Peace Dinner, a tradition started after the Sept. 11 attacks and aims to promote peace and understanding across cultures.
The organization also hosts more frequent, informal events.
"The ISO has a social hour every Friday at 4 p.m. in the Student Center Room 2222/2223," Campbell said. "It's a time for students to come together and socialize. We are working to better engage international and domestic students alike."
Campbell said he encourages American students to make an effort to attend these multicultural events on campus.
"International students want to interact more and learn more about American culture while they're here getting their degrees," Campbell said.
There are 1,332 foreign students from 85 countries on The Plains this fall.
According to Jessica Holley, manager of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services, this is an increase of 211 undergraduates and 33 graduates from last year.
Out of the entire foreign-student population, Holley noted only 362 are undergraduate-level.
Auburn aims to increase this number drastically in the near future.
"As part of the University's overall strategic plan, the provost and the Board of Trustees have mandated that we want to enroll 1,000 undergraduate international students over the next five-10 years," Campbell said.
Holley has been involved in recruiting efforts in Taiwan and Turkey. She said her group went to different study abroad fairs in the countries trying to promote Auburn.
"We had a huge alumni population from Taiwan back in the '80s," Holley said. "The alumni would come to the fairs and talk to the students in Chinese and tell them 'Auburn is where I went to school, you should go there too.' They were very helpful."
In addition to recruiting, Holley's office works with international students to get appropriate documentation.
This includes documents necessary to apply for a visa with the U.S. Embassy.
"Once they get their visa, they come into the U.S.," Holley said. "Once they get here they check in with us and we help make sure they are on track."
Upon arrival, international students go through orientation. Similar to the University's other orientation sessions, International Student Orientation is where international students learn basic information about attending Auburn. However, there are a few different opportunities.
"During orientation, you can sign up for an Auburn family," Tian said. "You spend time with them and they help you while you are here. Because I have an Auburn family, I feel like I have a home here."
With all Auburn students, the feeling of home is what the University strives to provide.
Both Holley and Campbell said they encouraged domestic and international students to be open and share their cultures.
They see the intercultural opportunity as invaluable.
"We bring the world to Auburn," Holley said. "I think that's very important and it can be very fulfilling."
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