International Students Blend Cultures on Campus

Jacob Tucker, feature editor

South Plains College is a campus of many cultures.

This diversity puts a distinct disadvantage on students who travel from other countries to the campus.  That is where the International Student Organization steps in to help. 

This organization was started to bridge the gap between foreign students and their local counterparts.  It was also started to help provide information to anyone who needs aid in school or with help adapting to life in West Texas.

“With this organization, students will be able to communicate with others who are in the same position as they are,” said organization co-sponsor Ginger Roquebert.

The organization has always been here at SPC, but participation has been quite low, and sometimes non-existent, according to Roquebert.  She said leadership from members is what the organization is lacking.  The ISO got great support from last year’s set of students, but they have since left SPC.

“We are just trying to help the group get on its feet and start achieving what it was started to do,” adds Roquebert.

The group should thrive because there are approximately 75 international students on the campus.  They are from countries such as Kenya, China, Japan, Australia and Latin America, among others.  Most have come to study music in SPC’s world-renowned music program or participate in the athletic program.

Because of these time-consuming activities, students have not had a chance to help the struggling ISO.  Roquebert believes that the organization could function.

“If we can just get students interested in the ISO, it would build itself,” said Roquebert.

The new students often have a hard time adjusting to the abrupt change of life.  Stefanie Bradford grew up in Germany.

“I was born in Potsdam, East Germany and I fled before the wall fell down,” said Bradford.

After she fled to West Germany, Bradford lived in Stuttgart and Frankfurt before moving to the United States to attend college.  She has had a difficult time adjusting to the weather and even the people. 

“I feel that this organization will be very helpful in aiding international students, if they are willing to participate,” said Bradford.

Bradford had heard about the ISO but, like many students, did not have the time to join.  She received an e-mail inviting her and other international students to come and be a part of the organization. 

“The urge to go never has hit me until this year,” says Bradford.  “I am willing to give it a shot.”

Adilet Alieb is a student from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.  He has been in the United States for three years, and he supports the organization.

Alieb believes that this exchange of cultures could possibly be great for everyone.  It would help promote a greater understanding between the students.

“Having the organization around will help introduce different cultures to other students here on campus,” said Alieb.

In addition to learning about new cultures, students have a chance to make friendships that could very well last a lifetime.

The first meeting of the ISO will be on Oct. 4 in the Oil Room in the Student Center at 11:30 a.m.  This meeting will be primarily for publicity of the organization.  Lunch will be provided for anyone who attends.

For more information about the ISO, contact Roquebert at (806) 894 9611, ext. 2651, or Sally Good at ext. 2481.