As an international student from Asia (and a very stereotypically Asian), when I first arrived at Smith, the academic and social environment that are very different from home and caused me a lot of perplexities and struggles and it took me quite a while to feel more comfortable here. Now, noticing that the number of my fellow Asian international students rears every year, and learning that many of them share the same confusion as me, I feel it necessary to come up with ways to overcome our specific confusions and difficulties to better fit into Smith. After attending a workshop organized by CSA and JSA that addresses exactly this issue last semester, reflecting on my own experiences, I would like to give several tips on how to find our voice in and out of classroom, contribute our own culture to the school culture, and adapt into a different academic and social environment for my fellow Asian international students.
Firstly, if you feel uncomfortable speaking up in a classroom and feel pressured when everybody else is sharing their ideas, it is normal, since as far as I know, a traditional Asian classroom back home does not require students to share their opinions and discussions are not cultivated in as much the same way asSmith. You need time to transit from one way of learning to another way of learning, and you have to tell yourself your conspicuous silence in an intense class debate is not a sign of incompetence. It is more of a cultural shock that you have to overcome. Here’s some tips that may help us transition from one culture to the other one and build confidence. Always remember you don’t have to say something “right” in those discussions; you just have to say something to let yourself get used to this pattern of learning. You can write down what you want to say on a piece of paper and read it slowly and clearly in front of class. This way can help you eliminate some pressure of speaking in a different language. If you are super afraid of saying something wrong or inappropriate in class, go to your professors’ office hours or send them an email and share your opinions with them before class. After your thoughts get validated in your discussion with your professors, you will feel more confident to bring it up in class. Once you have taken the first step and begin to state your argument clearly in class, you will find it much easier to talk in class.
Other than that, as an Asian international student, you may need time to complete a transition of identity: back in your home country, most of you might be counted as the “majority” of your country, and a lot of Asian countries are rather racially homogeneous, making some of you unaware of the racial issues in the states. As a result, you may find it hard to fit into your new identity and may be confused when racial issue is brought up. All these might be obstructions to you prospering at school, but some of these could also be seen as benefits. As a “minority” here, you could share your observations of the differences between home and here, introducing another perspective when you cannot relate to your peers in a conversation or class discussion. Believe me, this could also be an eye-opening moment for them. Also, you can take part in “my global story” to account your unique experience as a person from another culture. You can contribute to events like “mid-autumn celebration” and “spring festival:” give a performance of the traditional or pop dance or music, or actually anything of your own culture; invite your friends from other cultures to celebrate these events together; and try to come up with ways to make people from other cultures also feel engaged and interested. These could be useful ways to spread your culture and diversify the school culture, making your culture a part of Smith’s.
Speaking of the awareness of racial issues, my suggestion is: tune your ears and sharpen your eyes. Keep observing and keep educating yourself. Studying here, you are also a part of the issue. You can go to workshops on Otelia Cromwell day or attend school’s POC events, communicating with people from other backgrounds, learning their experiences and feelings, sharing your own observations. By doing so, you can not only reflect on your identity and what it means to you as an international student, but can also learn about other minorities’ issues, supporting each other to get all of our voices being heard. Gaining such an awareness may also make you gain an awareness about the problems of “minorities” in your own country, thus making an effort on solving those problems when you are back home.
Last but not the least, let’s give solidarity. Let’s give each other support in the process of finding our voice and expressing our culture. While writing these suggestions, I am still dealing with a lot of similar problems in my life and I would like to work with all of my fellow Asian international students to make it different. Let’s take actions right now and make our Smith experience meaningful and unforgettable!
