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Show International students at Westminster STUDENT PROFILE 54 students adjust to new environment Jessica Smith Staff Writer Bonjour. Zdraveite. Nei ho. Goedendag. These are a few of the different languages that can be heard on Westminsters campus this semester. There are 54 international students here from 24 different countries, said Sara Demko, director of International Services. Weve had international students here for a few years, said Demko. But this is the first year Westminster has had full time staff dedicated to international students. The staff helps the students with their schedules, housing and anything else they might need. Sara works really hard and makes things easier for us, said Milko Markov, a student from Haskovo, Bulgaria.' Demko said there are students here anywhere from a semester to four years. Markov has been here for three years. My experience has been really positive, said Markov. It was a huge step. Markov said he found it found it easy to adjust to American culture because he was prepared. I read a lot of books about the American culture, said Markov. He said his biggest shock was the giant trucks on the road. Back in Europe people use public transportation and have little cars. Markov said he has had a few adjusting experiences. During his freshman year he and a friend attempted to walk from Westminster to the Best Buy on 2100 South 300 West. It was the middle ofJune and in the middle of the afternoon, said Markov. People were staring and laughing at us like we were crazy. Since then he said he has a better handle on the ways of the city. The majority of students are here from China and Europe, said Demko. The students from China are here on one-ye- ar exchanges. Westminster has been doing these exchanges with China for the past few years. In Business Studies 2006 the Center for China-Ameriwas established as a part of the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business. It is dedicated to helping students understand more about Chinese culture and business. There is also the possibility of sending Westminster students to China. Were currently recruiting for students to send to China, said Demko. In June of 2007, Westminster President Michael Bassis signed an agreement with Professor Ma Junlu, dean of the School of Economics of Nankai University. The agreement sets up guidelines for exchanging students between the two schools. Theyre really enjoying Salt Lake City, said Demko. They are really excited to be here. She said many of the students live on campus. I really like the campus, said Perrine Voisin, a student from Passy, France. The people are all really nice. She said she is having a lot of fun. Its very different, said Voisin. I miss the food the most. ca "My experience has been really positive. It was a huge step." Milko Markov Westminster recruited Norwegian Ulrikke Nicolaisen for the ski team Voisin was recruited to be a member of the Westminster ski team. The coaching staff for the ski team worked together to find and recruit talented international students. Westminster started the ski program this semester and will compete in the United States Ski and Snowboarding Association. Westminster hired Chris Hendrickson to coach the students. 'Assassins7 invade campus Unique game draws loyal following Kristin Lane StaffWriter I hear foot steps creeping up behind me, said Om-m- ar Bribiesca. I turn around and see this kid lunging at me with a ruler. If youve seen people on campus wearing capes, masks, face painting, ribbons, or carrying foam bats, rulers, or Neff guns they were not celebrating Halloween early. They are players in Westminsters Assassins Guild. Its like a really intense game of tag, said Bribiesca, a sophomore who was part of the trio who established the game a month ago, which includes fellow sophomores Devon Hoffman and Andrew Clark. Through word of mouth they heard Assassins, and games like this, were popular on college campuses all over the U.S., Canada and Europe. Collectively they built up a manual and gave birth to the first Assassins Guild at Westminster. Its been an exhausting, intellectual endeavor, said Bribiesca. The first game ended early October and VOLUME XLII: ISSUE 6 lasted two weeks. You can check out games played on other campuses at sassins.com. The nature of the game is based on killing one another and consists of any amount of players, all of which have to be Westminster students, eliminating their targets while avoiding their attackers. The last player alive wins the game. Nine players participated in the first game, two females and seven males. Its really fulfilling, said Bribiesca, winner of the first game. Its an ego trip. There are three different character classes that the administrator (someone not playing the game) assigns participants. Because the game is played around the clock, all armor and weapons must be worn the entire length of the game. FIGHTER This character is required to wear two of the following at the same time: bright fluorescent colors, ribbons attached to clothing, silly hats, goggles, gloves or sequins. The manual says it must look ridiculous. For Continued on Page 14 2 NAME Milko Markov NATIONALITY Bulgarian HOMETOWN Haskovo, Bulgaria AGE 21 YEAR Junior MAJOR International Business BIGGEST CULTURE SHOCK Giant trucks on the road BENEFIT OF ATTENDING WESTMINSTER Ive become much more independent. Its the first year, so it really depends on us, said Ulrikke Nicolaisen, a student from Jar, Norway on the ski team. We need to do well to get money. Marco Schafferer, a student from Steinach Am Brenner, Austria, is a downhill skier for the Westminster mens team. Schafferer really likes Westminster. The people are really cool, said Schafferer. Im excited for the snow to come, said Nicolaisen. Im tired of dry training." The ski team has yet to hit the slopes, because the snow is lacking. I havent skied in six months, said Nicolaisen. Ive never gone that long since I was 11 years old. studies and international Skiing, Chinese-Americfew business are just a of the reasons there are international students at Westminster. It was a great choice to change continents, said Markov, of an |