Close to six hundred thousand of the world's eventual prime ministers, cabinet ministers, educators, politicians, scientists - national leaders of every kind are studying as international students in the United States. The experience they gain within our schools, churches, communities, homes may change the course of history, and will definitely be a major factor in determining their attitude toward and understanding of the Christian Church, the American nation and its people.

Who They Are

Among them, you will find more graduate than under-graduate students, more women than men, more from Asia than from any other continent. They are sent to the USA by their families, their government, their businesses and less than 10% on US scholarships. They are the finest resources their countries have, and with them come the aspirations of some of the oldest and some of the newest nations in the world.

Why They Come

They have come to this country because they wish to improve themselves and their country. Their purpose is not to lecture, to see the sights, to absorb the "American way of life," though you will find some of them doing these. They have come to study; they have come because someone has been willing to make a large and perhaps sacrificial commitment to their education and preparation.

What They Face

They are not fully prepared for the experience which they face. Their cultural background is usually different from ours. Language may be a great barrier. Perplexing sights, sounds, customs, idioms, mannerisms, and personalities are apt to make them very homesick and lonely. When studies do not go well at first, they become anxious and depressed.

Pets in the Home

Some students may be uneasy or even fearful around pets. Try to remember to keep your pet out of the way until you can be sure of the reaction of your student.

Have a Respect for Other Faiths

Many International Students are not Christians.  Do not manipulate the conversation to speak of Christ. Many will raise questions about Christ and the Christian life as they sense you care for them. Answers to questions can explain why you believe as you do.

Mealtimes

Cultures and religions differ. Because of the differences, you will need to be sensitive to whether or not certain things are taboo for a student. Find out if your student has any dietary restrictions. Hindus avoid beef. Moslems and Jews do not eat pork and many do not drink alcohol. When in doubt, serve poultry or fish and use vegetable shortening rather than lard. Some students may be vegetarians. Fruits and vegetables are always acceptable; rice is universally enjoyed.

At the table, relax! Most internationals are not accustomed to hurried meals. Silence does not necessarily mean that your guest is uneasy. In some cultures, it is impolite to accept a second helping until it has been offered several times.

Do not hesitate to pray before meals. Follow your usual routine of devotions or prayer. But do explain "it is our custom..." Avoid preaching to a captive audience.

Allow Some Free Time in the Student's Schedule

Too many activities, even those designed primarily for entertainment, may render the student so exhausted that they are unable to enjoy or absorb anything. Remember to leave some time each day for them to be alone - to think, to write letters, or to fulfill any other activities that may be essential to their sense of personal well-being.

Don't Hide or Make Excuses for America's Faults

Students living in America will soon encounter various types of racial prejudice, slum districts, crime, or other forms of social disorder. Rather than present an immature and one-sided picture of American life by attempting to conceal these unfavorable aspects, point out instead what the country is striving to do to correct them.

Avoid a "U.S. is best" attitude. Be realistic and willing to listen objectively to their reactions to American life, government, customs, etc. Keep cool. If they are critical of the U. S., they are not insulting you. Such discussion is their way of learning and of maintaining their own national ties.

Give Help in the Practical Details of Living

Some hosts will find that advice in the practical details of living in an American home is the most useful function they can perform; for example, explaining how meals are eaten (just-dig-in as opposed to waiting to be served), whether or not the student is to feel free to help themselves to the refrigerator for snacks, and you may suggest suitable clothing for functions or gatherings you may be attending.

The Challenge

The local church and the American Community can make a great difference in the early outlook of these students if it takes the opportunity. It can help determine whether they carry back to their countries goodwill or resentment. Few opportunities arise where effort counts more; the very presence of international students is a challenge to the Christian community.

"Does your family wear shoes?"
"How many wives does your father have?"
"Is it true that your people worship cows?"

It is not surprising that foreign students often return home with a low opinion of the average American when harassed with questions like these. Such questions frequently cause international students in our country to feel like some strange new form of entertainment. Resentment against the United States in many nations is evidence of the harm caused by our self-centeredness. Our immediate and far-reaching way to prevent such resentment is through meaningful contact with students from these countries.

A "Patronizing" Attitude is Readily Detected

Students who are sent by their government to this country are highly intelligent and sensitive. They immediately sense an atmosphere of condescending or over enthusiastic hospitality. To invite them to demonstrate one's "tolerance", "broadmindedness", or "intellectuality", to invite them for any reason save that of genuine interest and desire for friendship creates negative rather than positive impressions.

Do Your Homework

Learn something of the homeland of your student guest - its location, its history, its government, its leadership, its cultural traditions, its cuisine. An atlas. encyclopedia, the local library or the internet (www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/) can be very helpful.

Welcoming a New Student

If you are making your first contact by telephone or e-mail, identify yourself and that you are a host family with Christmas International House. It is helpful to follow the contact with a written note or letter.

Students Want to See Everyday America

These students do not wish themselves to be the occasion for elaborate treatment or attention. They prefer to find acceptance in your natural family life - birthdays, picnics, weddings, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Encourage them to take part, to cook their specialty, to share a personal anecdote, to sing songs from their country around the piano, to read a bedtime story to the family's four-year old.

Let Your Attitude Show Your Willingness to Learn

The mere fact of their being here is indicative of the desire these students want to learn. They also have a great deal to share if they are convinced of your genuine interest. Not only can they teach you about their country, but they can enable you to see your own country through new eyes. But never try to show more enthusiasm than you honestly feel, or allow yourself to be guilty of asking questions merely to appear interested.

Seek First to Understand the Student as a Person

Any friendship is usually based on what two people share in common. So get to know the student; learn to pronounce their name correctly, and if you are able, use the name the student prefers to be called, not a nickname coined by Americans to overcome pronunciation problems.

Discover those likenesses in your personalities which enable you to understand each other. Even though an international student may be the product of another environment altogether different from yours, you are both human with human pleasures and problems. Seek first to know the student as a person before gradually learning to understand them as a different nationality.

Do Not Try to Force Friendship

Any true understanding between two personalities requires time. Cultivate the friendship as you would anyone's friendship, but do not be disappointed if their response is not immediate or lasting. Always bear in mind that as a student they may want to give primary attention to academic work.

Students Sometimes Appreciate Silent Companionship

The constant strain of expressing oneself in unfamiliar terms rapidly consumes energy. For this reason, silent companionship may be renewing to an international student, and may even prove as communicative in its own way as spoken companionship. If you allow yourself to relax and do not talk just to relieve tension, the student himself will be more at ease and not feel compelled to keep talking just for the sake of conversation.  Remember always to talk slowly and distinctly; but without being overly loud. Usually all that is necessary is to curb our quick American tongues to a slower speed and speak directly. Avoid slang unless you can determine that your student understands what you mean.