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International students can live on campus in places like Monroe Apartments to give them an idea of American living while still being able to commute easily to classes.
International students can experience culture shock when moving to America ANDREW UNVERFERTH Staff Reporter @overander With over a thousand international students on Missouri State’s campus, many of them have to contend with some substantial lifestyle changes. Some might find it difficult getting used to a new language, while others may have mixed feelings about a new diet. But for many, the greatest source of culture shock comes from a vast difference in living situations. One of those students is graduate student Ebraheem Bouq, originally from Saudi Arabia, who began his journey for higher education abroad by first traveling to England then Toledo, Ohio, before finally ending up in Springfield. Bouq’s apartment is a far cry from his family home in Saudi Arabia, a villa with a pool, a large garden and plenty of bedrooms and living space for him and his six siblings. Bouq said his middle-class Saudi home is rather standard for the country, as are apartments with three bedrooms or more. Although it might seem like a downgrade in housing, Bouq said one of the greatest benefits to American living is the proximity to a diverse group of friendly people.
“One of the big things about the United States is that it makes you a really open-minded person, and it kinda makes you friendly,” Bouq said. International students who’ve been to university in their native country may have to adjust to housing on campus. Graduate student Yuganesh Gunalan, who originally studied in Malaysia, is just one of those students. Gunalan’s old university had strict male and female housing with only one dining hall for a much smaller campus. While he got used to Missouri State’s co-ed residence halls and larger campus, Gunalan said one of the differences he came to appreciate the most was a caring and welcoming collection of RAs who had such an impact on him, he decided to work as one for a few years. “Everyone is cared for,” Gunalan said. “Everyone is given priority here. Not one person is differentiated, and I think that’s one of the beauties of U.S. dorm life … You matter. Regardless of who you are, you matter.” Much like Bouq, it’s the sense of community in Gunalan’s new home that has really stuck with him. While both of them miss parts of their life back in their native countries, they’ve managed to find a comfortable college home here.
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