The international student athlete experience

By: Emily Meyers

Angelina Horn is an exchange student-athlete at Central Michigan University from Ludewigsfelde, Germany. She came to the United States on a scholarship to run track.

“I mainly chose to come here to run because the support system for athletes here is way better; especially to those who are students as well,” Horn said about why she ultimately decided to travel abroad to run. 

She began running in fifth grade after her PE teacher told her it would be worth a shot because she was fast and would be good. She didn’t have any other extracurriculars at the time, so she tried it and fell in love with the sport.

Now, attending a college 4,127 miles away from home, she competes in triple jump and, occasionally, the 4x1. 

“When I came to the US, I think I was more scared of the culture shock, but it wasn’t as big of a difference as I expected,” Horn said. “Everyone was really welcoming. I would say I adapted pretty quickly. Sometimes it’s hard because you’re leaving your whole support system at home behind, but it was really easy to make friends here because I had the whole track team behind me.”

The most memorable difference for her is the open mindedness Americans have compared to people in her country. 

“Americans are a little more open to getting to know people they don’t already know,” Horn said. “In Germany, it takes a little longer to get to know somebody, but here people are more open minded. At least in the beginning.”

Cultural crossroads: A journey from Nepal to America

By: Megan Mearnic

Shashwat Maharjan embarked on a transformative journey when he chose to pursue his undergraduate degree at Central Michigan University. Despite hailing from Nepal, he felt drawn to the United States due to his comfort with the English language, the abundance of scholarship opportunities and the academic environment. However, his transition to American culture was not without its challenges.

Upon his arrival, Maharjan encountered cultural shocks, particularly in aspects like food choices and social interactions. Adjusting to the warmth of strangers' greetings and navigating unfamiliar social norms took some time. Fortunately, he found solace in the welcoming community of Nepali students, who shared similar experiences and introduced him to familiar cuisine, fostering a sense of belonging.

Despite the initial cultural adjustments, Maharjan quickly appreciated the differences in the education systems between Nepal and the U.S. He found the American approach to teaching, which emphasized visual learning and diverse assessment methods, to be more conducive to his academic growth. As a graduate student, transitioning from structured classes to research-intensive work presented new challenges, but he embraced them as opportunities for personal and intellectual development.

Navigating social dynamics in the US proved to be another learning curve for Maharjan. While forming connections within academic and professional circles enriched his experience, he initially struggled with informal hierarchies in professional settings, such as addressing older colleagues by their first names. Nevertheless, the support and guidance of peers and mentors played a pivotal role in helping him navigate these cultural nuances.

Throughout his educational journey, Maharjan has had the opportunity to experience life in different corners of the U.S., from the academic atmosphere of Mount Pleasant to the vibrant energy of San Diego during his internship. Despite the varying climates and lifestyles, he found common threads of familiarity and hospitality, which further enriched his cross-cultural experience.

Bridging cultures: Jinhee Lee’s journey of cultural transition

By: Shirley Olatunji

Professor Jinhee Lee’s family photo in South Korea.

Professor Jinhee Lee is a fascinating individual whose life weaves through diverse cultures and academic landscapes. Originally from South Korea, Jinhee Lee warmly invites us into her world, sharing the unique journey that led her to becoming a professor in the United States.

Jinhee Lee offers a captivating insight into her South Korean upbringing, emphasizing the collective nature of her community. In her hometown, shared experiences held more significance than spoken words. She vividly describes the intimate definition of family – parents and children – shaping the warmth that characterized her formative years.

"In our community, we perceive ourselves as members of groups - university, occupation, family – those kinds of things are more important than individual identities."

As she delves into her life as an international student in the United States, the challenges of adapting to a culture valuing individualism come to light. She shares an example of the struggle she faced during introductory sessions or small talks, where expressing fun facts about herself became a symbolic battle against the cultural shift she experienced in the U.S.

"In South Korea, we do not really do a lot of “small talks” which I had to get used to moving here. Also, the fun facts question is very hard to answer because I didn't think about interesting things about me because who I am is not very important." 

Jinhee Lee guides us through the corridors of academia, comparing South Korea and U.S. university systems. The shift in student-professor dynamics stands out – a transition from a structured hierarchy to a more interactive relationship. She narrates a specific incident where adapting to the American style of questioning and discussion in class posed a unique challenge, requiring her to find her voice in the academic discourse.

“I'm shy and introverted, but I became more introverted and not very confident in my classroom because I'm from a different culture. Since other people could not understand me very well, I lost my confidence. After a while I became more confident and realized that I could ask and answer questions in class. So, I would advise every international student to be confident in themselves regardless of whatever situation or the student-professor dynamics wherever they are.”

Lee unveils the support systems that played a pivotal role in her journey. University organizations and the Korean student community provided more than just guidance through legal processes; they became lifelines of belonging.

"They had some kind of event to introduce our culture to other students and then gather together.  I could also talk to members of those organizations. And they gave out tips and advice about how I can deal with some kind of situation and get some information about living and everything. It was very helpful and supportive during my graduate school year."

Jinhee Lee  reflects on her role as a professor, highlighting the cultural difference in how students address professors right from her days as a graduate student. 

“In South Korea, there is a formal structure of how you address professors; however, in the US, there are different flexible ways of addressing your professors.”

As the conversation shifts to cultural diversity on campus, Jinhee Lee illuminates the limited exposure students have. She emphasizes the significance of organizations like Culturs in promoting cultural understanding. In a heartfelt conclusion, Professor Jinhee Lee shares her wisdom with students, urging them to embark on journeys of cultural exploration. She injects a bit of dialogue into her advice, recalling a moment when she advised herself to "just be confident" in the face of cultural differences.

"Most students are from Michigan, and in my class, usually I have very few students from other cultural backgrounds. So usually, I advise them to travel outside of Michigan to see different people and different cultures.”

Professor Jinhee’s narrative unfolds as a testament to the transformative power of cultural experiences. Her journey, embellished with personal anecdotes, academic adaptation and a quest for cultural understanding, resonates in a world where interconnectedness is paramount. 

Professor Jinhee’s experience stands as a captivating reminder that unity in diversity is not just achievable but enriching, especially within the realm of education.

Brazilian graduate student navigates his identity as a Third Culture Kid

By: Kendall Weishaupt

Andrei Smoler Coelho, a film theory graduate student and graduate assistant, defines himself as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). A TCK is a person who has spent a significant amount of their developmental years outside of their parents’ culture. He was born in Brazil and has lived in three countries, 14 cities and moved 24 times within those cities.

As a TCK, there is a lot of uncertainty around where you could go next while trying to understand your identity. When Smoler started his undergraduate degree, he went to a seminar about multiculturalism. This seminar addressed the topic of TCKs. Smoler talked to the speaker afterward and that is when he found an identity as a TCK. He realized his experience is one that many others go through.

It was difficult at first for Smoler when he first arrived at CMU because of the difference between American universities and Brazilian universities. In his experience, CMU has been a welcoming place for international students, and it helped him integrate into the culture. Michigan is a more traditionally American state compared to other states Smoler has lived in the U.S., and he feels CMU has gone out of its way to make it a safe and welcoming environment.

He explained how many TCKs can feel left out and as if they are not part of the larger culture, so resources like Culturs are a great way to bridge the gap. Culturs is helpful for multicultural people to see stories like theirs and a good way for others to learn about hidden diversity and multicultural experiences.

Smoler explained, “I am at a point where I am comfortable with who I am as a TCK and I accept it and use it to my advantage.”

Chinese professor finds balance in the “in-between”

By: Leona Falconer

Chunbo Ren in Yantai, Shandong province in eastern China during sabbatical leave.

More than 15 years ago, Chunbo (Richard) Ren embarked on a journey that would shape his life in ways he could have never imagined. Leaving behind his home in Beijing, China, he set out for the United States with a singular goal in mind: to pursue higher education and earn his Ph.D. Today, he stands as a testament to the power of determination, a respected professor at CMU and, most recently, a Culturs Central ambassador.

Ren's roots trace back to Yantai, China, where he spent his formative years before venturing into the bustling city of Beijing. There, he immersed himself in the world of public relations, honing his skills with Weber Shandwick, a global marketing communications agency. Throughout his time with the firm, Ren worked with many major health care and consumer clients, such as Pfizer, Bayer Healthcare, P&G, L’Oreal and Nestle.

Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle of agency life, Ren nurtured a dream, one that would lead him across continents and oceans. He was intent on furthering his education in the U.S. and earning a Ph.D.

Ren was ultimately accepted at Washington State University to earn his doctorate in health communication. This meant leaving behind Beijing – and everything he had known his entire life – for a brand new start. The journey began with a life-changing flight from Beijing, China to Pullman, Washington.

"I was definitely nervous, but most of all extremely excited to be starting a new chapter," Ren reminisced. "I took pictures of everything on my flight over, and I remember thinking, 'this is the start of my dream.'"

Ren not only had to adjust to a whole new country and culture, but found the most staggering change to be going from a big city to rural farmland. The transition from the sprawling metropolis of Beijing to the rural landscapes of Pullman proved to be a monumental adjustment. 

"It is challenging to leave behind your home country for a brand new lifestyle, especially going from a large city like Beijing to a small town," Ren reflected. "But I was determined to stick it out for my education."

As an international student, Ren is considered a Third Culture Adult, a term used to define individuals who travel extensively or live in global locations after the age of 18. Being a part of this group often presents challenges, especially as these individuals struggle to find a balance between their native culture and the one they are presently living in.

While the initial months were a whirlwind of excitement and discovery, the novelty soon began to wear off and Ren was confronted with the reality of his situation. He was in an unfamiliar environment with an incredibly stressful amount of school work.

The rigorous demands of his doctoral program, along with the nuances of American life, posed mental and emotional challenges. The struggles of being an international student truly began to set in.

Cultural differences, incidents of discrimination and language barriers tested his resolve. Yet, it was during these trials that Ren discovered his resilience and pushed on for his education.

Learning a new culture and lifestyle takes time. Adjusting to American life was a process, and one that Ren embraced wholeheartedly. He discovered a passion for travel, using all of his free time to visit other parts of the U.S. and to learn more about his new home.

Even when others were rude or discriminatory, he refused to let it affect him. During his first Halloween at WSU, he was observing the festivities with a large group of international students, as it was their first-ever Halloween. Unfortunately, they were harassed by a group of domestic students who yelled at them, attacking their Asian heritage.

“Some of my friends were very upset,” Ren said. “But I just remember thinking that I was there for the right reasons, and had just as much of a right to be attending school as the boys who yelled at us. I try not to let those with closed-minded views affect me.”

Ren also dealt with language barriers. It was not only challenging to constantly be internally translating, but trying to understand American slang as well.

"I hardly spoke my first year," Ren admitted. "But as I immersed myself in teaching as part of my Ph.D. work, I found my voice and my passion for education."

Upon completing his doctoral studies, Ren embarked on a new chapter as a professor at Central Michigan University. For over a decade, he has dedicated himself to shaping the minds of future PR professionals, infusing his classes with international perspectives and cultural insights.

As CMU is a rural, predominantly white institution, he works to bring a diverse perspective to its students and the campus community whenever possible.

"As a Chinese professor at CMU, I do my best to bring my culture into the classroom and share it with the students," Ren explained. "I use international case studies and guest speak in classes related to diversity and culture. Before the pandemic, I also coordinated an exchange program between CMU and Yantai University, the school located in my hometown."

Yet, amidst his integration into American academia, Ren remains grounded in his roots. While he acknowledges America as his home, he cherishes the influence of his native culture, recognizing that it will forever shape his identity.

"I tried so hard to know the American culture and act and think like an American," Ren said. "But eventually, I came to terms with the fact that I grew up in a different country and will always have that influence. I think as long as you appreciate and enjoy the culture, trying to make a positive contribution, that is all that matters."

In a world marked by borders and boundaries, Ren continues to bridge cultures and foster human connection.

For international students that relate to Ren’s story and want to see more like it, check out Culturs Magazine.