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Show 6 Signpost Friday, May 13, 1983 Iniematiiorial s Americans have prided themselves on having a culture that is rich in tradition and heritage. Immigrants have come to this great "melting pot" and added remnants of their own cultures to blend and melt into a homogenous American way of life. Immigrant cultures do not disappear, however, as is implied by the "melting pot" metaphor. Instead they remain intact and enhance the American Culture as a whole. With this in mind, America should perhaps be compared to a mosaic. Each individual piece of the mosaic may be very different, yet put several together in a harmonious pattern and the result is a beautiful work of art. Weber State can also be described as a mosaic of cultures and countries. There are approximately 350 international students attending Weber spring quarter and they have come from as far away as Thailand or as near as Mexico to study at WSC. Although most of the international students will not be making America their permanent home, it is still home for the duration of their education. The impact that "each different culture has on the Ogden area, like the pieces of a mosaic, can be to add sparkle and a greater sense of the "world community" of which Ogden is a member. The majority of international students are attending Weber to gain knowledge in specific fields. A large percentage of foreign students are majoring in one of the technological areas. Forty-nine students are majoring in electrical technology, 39 are studying electrical engineering, 27 are in pre-engineering, 20 are entering the field of automotive engineering and 17 are studying data processing. When all foreign students come to Weber State they must pass an exam that indicats their competitency in English before they can declare a major. Those who have not been declared proficient in English are required to list English as a Second Language (ESL) as their major. Currently 30 international students are enrolled in the ESL program.The international students are a part of an organization that is designed to meet many ot their needs while at Weber the International Students Association (ISA). Although ISA is thought of primarily for foreign students, Sarah Schmidt, who is ISA's cultural coordinator, said that "every country, including the United States should be represented." American students are welcome to participate in association's activities, she said. Several programs have been developed by ISA to help meet the needs of the students and to acquaint the Ogden area with the different cultures each represents. A speaker's bureau has been organized providing students the chance to present talks or programs about their countries to civic, school and church organizations. The host family program, in which families from the surrounding communities invite international students into their homes for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, has been successful for many students. It helps to alleviate the homesickness that is felt at a time most students spend with their families. In January Esokwu Charlie Chukwudolue, a student from Nigeria submitted to the Signpost a letter to the editor thanking the ISA for the host family program. He said "I commend this program ... for international students during the holidays. I happen to be one of those that benefited from the program... I was lucky to be invited by a hospitable and benevolent family who had taken me as an additional member of their family and was greatly cared for..." ISA also distributes newsletters to the international students and just recently a very successful International Students Banquet was held in the Union Building Ballroom. The banquet is the highlight of the year for the ISA and it was very well attended by the community and school. President of the International Student Association is Oussama Jammal. Jam-mal is from Lebanon and he is here with his wife Ghina and their two children, a daughter Mennah who is 1 12 years and a son Ghazi who is 8 months. Jammal is working toward a degree in welding engineering. Jammal, like many other international students, is Moslem. Each Friday, v-t2 r, Zx&-. 41 X J H " v 5 x J I Y1 f KEY: The numbers on the map correspond with the numbers proceeding the countries. The numbers following indicate the number of students from that country. (Information courtesy of International Student Office.) 1. Argentina 1 2. Australia 1 3. Bangladesh 1 4. Bolivia 4 5. Brazil -2 6. Canada 9 7. Chili -3 8. Ecquador 2 9. France 1 10. Germany 1 11. Greece 1 12. Guatemala 1 13. Honduras 2 14. Hong Kong -2 The world o , X x 15. India-2 16. Iran -14 17. Israel -5 18. Italy -2 19. Japan-21 20. Jordan -12 21. Kenya-1 |