Some useful advice for new international students of WMU

By Hassan Al-Momani
Western Herald

After finishing two years at Western Michigan University, I can tell the new students, especially the international ones, a lot of useful ideas that will make them feel better in this wonderful community.

First, students should take studying seriously. They have to participate in the classroom through presenting their ideas and sharing them with their professors and classmates.

Most professors and teachers at WMU focus on teaching their students through assignments and homework. Therefore students need to do their assignments on time and not get frustrated when they see their professors and teachers’ comments. This criticism will help students raise their academic level.

Second, cultural interaction and dialogue are effective ways of overcoming the cultural shock most international students suffer from when they interact with another culture.

The students at WMU are very helpful, friendly and open-minded. We should not be shy to open a cultural dialogue with other students from different cultures in order to bridge the cultural gap among cultures, and then to be an effective part of this multicultural students’ community.

Participating in the activities held by WMU, especially cultural ones, can enrich the students’ culture and broaden their critical thinking scope. Furthermore, visiting beautiful places in Michigan is highly recommended. It changes students’ mood and reduces the feeling of homesickness and frustration from which most students suffer at the beginning stage of their stay.

Also, international students should focus on improving their English language skills. They should communicate in English with native speakers. This might help them convey what they want to tell their professors and classmates easily.

In fact, coming to WMU is a great chance for anyone who wants to improve his or her English language skills.

Reading American literature is very useful in this regard because it helps students improve their English skills, learn about this great and wonderful culture, and broaden the critical thinking ability.

WMU is a wonderful multicultural environment for students to share their ideas and cultures with each other, develop their capabilities of thinking critically and enjoy their time. We have a great opportunity to better ourselves and this distinguished university through bringing useful and creative ideas to our professors and teachers.

Hassan Al-Momani, a Western Herald opinion columnist, is a graduate student majoring in English and can be reached via e-mail at hassan76us@yahoo.com.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=9865

Posted by heraldstaff on Oct 12 2009. Filed under Editorial, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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