The Chronicle

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: News
Last update: 9/19/07 at 6:59 AM EST

Media Credit: GLEN GUTTERSON Duke's international student population has doubled in the past 10 years, forcing international students to carve their own niche on campus.

Media Credit: GLEN GUTTERSON Many international students credit the International House for aiding their transition to Duke and the United States.

Even in a crowd of screaming Cameron Crazies, sophomore Vatsala Kabra's accent stands out among the slow Texan drawls and Long Island twangs.

A unique combination of Indian and British English with an American twist, Kabra said she attributes its many nuances to her globe-trotting background.

Kabra, who was born in India, raised in Dubai and now resides in Durham, is one of Duke's undergraduate international students-a group that has doubled in size since 1997.

"One of the most important things that the University is emphasizing is bringing in international students and increasing the geographic and economic diversity of the students that come," said Carlisle Harvard, director of the International House. "They are really important contributors to the Duke community."

Some members of the international population said despite the strong institutional support they receive from the University, the exclusive social structures at Duke coupled with rifts in their own community make it difficult to adjust to life in a foreign country.



Culture shock

Of various different backgrounds and a multitude of nationalities, some international students said they often have difficulties finding their niche on campus.

"We don't have a close-knit international community in comparison with other cultural groups," said junior Akash Bansal, president of the International Association. "We are an incredibly diverse group of people with diverse interests."

The existing social structures on campus along with self-segregation deter international students from integrating completely into the Duke culture, some said.

Kabra said although she felt there was a certain bond among international students, racial and ethnic ties can divide the sense of community.

"I question whether [international students are not embedded into the social system] just because they sometimes feel more comfortable with people of similar backgrounds or if it's because they don't feel accepted within Duke's social system," she said.

Kabra, a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, noted that she is the only international student in her pledge class.

Sophomore Isaac He-born and raised in Singapore­-said he also experienced the negative aspects of minority life for the first time at Duke.

"[International students] are not just one big group," he said. "Some kids are totally fish out of water.... I think the dominant culture is not open to diversity in general. People catch people in these stereotypes, and it's easy to sideline people into groups."

He added that the strong greek system at Duke often contributes to the disconnect between international students and the rest of the undergraduate body, pointing out the relatively low number of internationals in principal social groups on campus.

Others students, however, attribute these kinds of social difficulties to living in a foreign country for the first time and having to rapidly adjust to a new culture.

"It's part of being so far away from home... and being the only one that represents your culture," said Corina Apostol, a junior from Romania. "It's a little difficult at first, but it's a learning experience."

Apostol added that one of the things she likes best about Duke is the opportunity it has given her for cultural exchanges.



Coming to America

Apostol said the first, hectic days of orientation were also her very first experiences on U.S. soil. Her difficulties mirrored that of many international students.

"You're thrown into Durham and Duke and this huge campus that's like [the size of] my city," Apostol said. "You have no idea about anything-how to get your groceries, how to do your taxes and how to get to West Campus."

To meet the needs of foreign students, the International House provides resources to cushion the transition between students' home countries and Duke. Their programming starts with a special international pre-orientation that pairs incoming freshmen with upperclassman International House Orientation Peers-the equivalent of First-Year Advisory Counselors.

"It's nice that... you get to know loads of IHOPs," said Vijai Atal, a freshman from Oman. "Durham's kind of boring but Duke's really nice-much better than I expected it to be."

The International House also serves logistical purposes, such as running frequent trips to the Social Security office and the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles and providing social programming, like the English Conversation Club.

"Administratively they've helped me a good deal," He said. "But they've run out of ways to make us feel welcome."

There are, however, certain drawbacks to going to school in a foreign country that cannot be made easier by any amount of programming and services, some international students said.

Unlike some undergraduates whose hometowns are only a short drive away, many international students must cross multiple time zones to get home and can only make the trip for winter and summer breaks.

"It's sort of just a mental and emotional thing-knowing that your family is an hour away versus knowing that they're 14 hours away," Kabra said.



Well-adjusted

Despite these difficulties, several international undergraduates said they are happy to be at Duke.

These students cited the resources, opportunities and the unique academic experiences provided by the University as the best part of a Duke education.

Apostol said she attended an engineering university in Romania for a year as a computer science major and was attracted to Duke by the prospect of being able to study the arts.

"I decided to take a chance and come here," she said. "I was trying to sort of break away from the school system in Romania, which was very stifling. I like Duke a lot because here I have freedom to explore any field that I want to."

Kabra said Duke and Durham have grown on her since the first semester of her freshman year.

"I can finally say that I'm happy to be here, and for me, the good thing is that it's constantly getting better," she said. "Dubai will always be home, but Duke is a home away from home."

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