Pho10 by Daniel Dubois With students from 40 countries Harding's scope is definitely International College life is just one big adjustment. Students have to adjust to doing their own laundry, living with other people and being away from home. International students, howeve r, had to face these obstacles, and more. Notonly we re they far away from their famrli es, but they also had to learn to adapt to a new culture . Sophomore Fernando Pineda, aWalton student from Guatemala, sa id, "It is hard to be away from home. All this is new to me, but I'm thankful for this chance of getting my studi es paid for." Many students enjoyed their chance to study in the United States but missed home. IgorTamindzija, a sophomore fromYugoslavia, said, "I like school here, but I miss everything about my country. " Gretta Brenes, a junior from Costa Rica, said she mi ssed everything, especially her famil y, food and the mountains. "Although I miss home, the fact of being away from home has made me grow up spiritually," Brenes said. "Now I feel also more confident of my cultural and moral va lues." Most of the students fe lt that adapting to the new culture took some hard work. Tamindzij a said, "I am trying to adjust to this culture; I think that would make it easier on me to understand Ameri - can people." Brenes said it took her almost two semesters to ge t used to America and to people 's habits. "I like American people, but they are cold, individualistic and they ask a lot for their personal space. Thi s is unusual in my country," she said. Although it was difficult to be separated from their famili es, the international students thought the experience matured them. Pineda said, cCNow I'm more independent; I do things bymyself no matter what. These two years helped me also to treasure the American culture; after all , I'm part of the school and that makes me understand American people a lot better." Brenes said that she became more responsibl e. "All changes are good and they open up your mind," she said. "I'm glad that I'm here and happy that I have the chance of learning not just from the American culture, but also from all over the wo rld." - Juli eta Gil During club open house, Wad Makarov, Nikolai Corlovski and Paul Levine discuss the reasons that the guys shouldwant to join Knights. Many international students joined social clubs their freshman or sophomore years. I NTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 41 "
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