International students adjust to L.A. just fine
Still maintaining ties to home, most students comfortable with
California attitude
By Naoki Naruse
Although Roy Henker, a UCLA physics graduate student from
Germany, has been in Los Angeles for three years, he likes to keep
up with German news through a weekly newsletter that the German
government sends to his house. It helps him remember home, while
still focusing on his studies here.
One of the almost 7,000 students from other countries on campus,
he said he has adjusted to L.A. with ease.
"I feel just fine," said Olga Roykh, who came to UCLA from the
Ukraine two years ago to study psychology. "Sometimes I miss my
friends. But I don’t really miss (the Ukraine) because I have
everything I need here."
Palm trees, a 70-degree winter day and the allure of the
Southern California coast all contribute to a conspicuous lack of
home sickness among many foreign students, they said.
"If you come from a place where it rains often, you will really
appreciate the sunny weather," Henker said.
On top of the Southland’s environmental appeal, some foreign
students said mingling with different kinds of people may be the
best part about studying here. "What I like about Los Angeles is
the diversity of the people you can meet," said Graciano Papino, a
Mexican graduate student in electrical engineering. "The society is
more violent than Mexico, but you can adjust to anything you
want."
But just because they are not at home doesn’t mean that home is
forgotten. Far from it. They have their own ways of keeping abreast
of their countries’ events. Many who are computer literate have
taken advantage of the "Information Superhighway," using technology
to keep connected with goings-on back home.
Terry Gonzales, a student from Brazil preparing for a Ph.D. in
electrical engineering, reads an electronic newspaper everyday on
his computer screen. "I can know everything that’s happening (in
Brazil)," he said.
But Americans’ favorite news source  the television Â
isn’t as informative to foreign students, they said. "Here in the
U.S. (network television stations) don’t do anything about South
America," Gonzales said.
"I ask my parents about important (issues)," said Isabelle
Poupeau, a French public health student. "I watch news but (there
is) nothing about France."
And though they may be thousands of miles away from home, many
still maintain a dedication to their country’s government.
On October 14th, Gonzales went to the Brazilian consulate in Los
Angeles to vote for a new Brazilian president. "I didn’t vote for
the new president," he said. "He’s a good president but I’m
concerned about his alliance with a conservative group."
Though keeping ties to their homeland is important, not all
foreign students like to be informed about their countries. In
fact, some are downright interested in forgetting.
"I’m not interested (in Ukrainian politics). I’m sick and tired
of those political problems," Roykh said. "I feel bad for people
who stay there (because of the economy). I really hope (the
economy) is going to get better. But I’m not interested in it any
more."
In addition, living apart from their families seems to foster a
greater sense of independence. Papino said he has been more
independent since he came to Los Angeles two and half years
ago.
"In Mexico, (the society) is more family-oriented," he said.
"(We’re) more connected to family all the time. It has been a good
change for me."
And while Papino gained a better understanding of how to handle
the world on his own, many other students discovered that American
values really appeal to them.
"(U.S. society) gives me a hope," said Ayumi Baba, a senior
psychology major from Japan. "It seems like there are more people
who evaluate your ability positively. It’s easier for me to live in
America than Japan because I like people who express their opinions
clearly."
But for some, there is a constant gravity towards home,
reminding them that they have to go back someday  regardless
of how much they like L.A. or the United States.
"I would prefer to work here, because here they pay higher
salary than in Brazil. In the U.S., you can find anything you want
cheaper (than Brazil)," Gonzales said. "Living is much more
comfortable here than Brazil. But I don’t know … it’s hard to
explain, but I think it’s mostly because of the people, friends and
everything."