International Students International student Erastos Evdoxiadis. junior, searches the Imernet in the Bracken Library. Evcloxiadis, who is from Greece, and other international students rook fu ll advantageofthe technological resources available at theUn iversity {O stay in contact with family members back home. Several international srudentsgatherat a table during the World Missions Fair held in the Mclnteer Rotunda. The event drew large numbers of international students who wanted to find out more information on mission efforrs targeted towards their home nation. Jfarding: a horne awayfrom horne "There's no place like home! There's no place like home! " While Dorothy may have had a good point, many international students on campus have found Harding to be an acceptable, temporary substitute for the place mey call home. With over 40 different countries represented in the 1999-2000 school year, many foreign students have been faced with challenges wh ile adapting [Q the American culture. Sonya Krautschneider, an elementary education major from Australia, is one such student. She said the hardest part of her transition from Australia was the initial steps of gett ing to Harding. '!<Jautschneider was first introduced to Harding through summer campaigns to Australia. "My family hosted campaigners every year and they were an encouragement to us all. Since high school, it has been mydream to come to Harding," Krautschneider said. "1 didn't know how I was go ing to get here, but I prayed that if it be in His will , God would make it possible. " Krautschneider recal ls one instance when she had the opportunity to discuss Harding with President David Burks. "I talked with him when he led the campaign to Australia." Krautschneider said. "I told him that my desire was co come to Harding and wanted to know if it would be a possi bility. " With a lot of prayer and help in looking for funds, Krautschneider was able to make the move to Harding. Upon her arrival, she noted several cultural differences that proposed challenges ro her life. "The Americans do things to the extreme. From banquets to sport ing events, they go all out," Krautschneider said. "Australians seem to be much more laid back about things like that." Robin Vick, freshman , began his career at Harding this fall. Simi lar to Krautschneider, Vick was introduced ro Harding through summer campaigns to his home congregation in Stirling, Scodand. "The campaigners have been coming ro my church for seve ral years," Vick said. "They said nothing but good things about Harding and 1 knew it was where 1 wanted to be. " Other than the "extreme heat" of the South, Vick said he enjoyed hi s first year living in the United States. "My only problem is having to deal with me language differences. There are things that are okay to say at home that I can't say here," Vick said. "That can become a problem ifI am not careful." Aside from the language itself, Vick has learned the speed of his speech seems to be a litde fast for most Americans. "I have had to slow down so that people can understand what 1 am saying through my . thick Scottish accent," he said. Vick said he loves Harding and wishes to remain open to his future plans and goals. ''I'll see in four years where God wants me ro go, " he said. "I can see myselfgoing back to Europe, but 1will let God lead me way. " Unfortunately for these international students, the dream that they can click their ruby red slippers three times and be magically whisked back to their home country is JUSt that - a dream. Granted, there is no place like home. However, the atmosphere and people that make Harding what it is provide students from allover the world with a suitable home away from home. - Bryan Jobe International Students 21
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