CIRCLING THE GLOBE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS BRING WORLD TO SOUTHEAST

Although they come from many different countries, international students enrolled at Southeast Missouri State University share a common bond.

They all miss home-cooked foods from their native countries.

Margaret Hyams of Maastricht, Netherlands, said it is difficult to find her favorite candies in the United States, but she misses home-cooked favorites the most.

She cooked a batch of pastries called snowballs for the International Carnival on Sunday but said her mother's are always better. She also misses a Dutch cookie that would most resemble two layers of waffles filled with syrup.

"Sometimes she sends them to me, but they are not as good when they aren't fresh," she said. "And you can't get the real black licorice."

Denise Lincoln, campus minister at the Baptist Student Center, works with international students in the Culture Junction program. She said the most common complaint from students is the difference in foods.

"It's a three-times-a-day concern," Lincoln said. "We are a fast food society and it's difficult to find something palatable to them, whether it's the dorm food or fast food."

But many of the students find a solution by meeting up with others from nearby countries who enjoy similar foods, she said.

Making friends is often the most challenging part of adjusting to life in the states, Lincoln said. Until the students find a group of fellow students, they often feel terribly alone and isolated.

But making friends isn't really all that hard, say many internationals. People in the states and especially in Cape Girardeau are very friendly.

"People are very friendly here," Hyams said. Most of the people in her country are hurried.

Because Hyams was an exchange student before attending college, she was acquainted with some American customs and mannerisms. But living here still takes some adjustments.

Eric DeSa agreed that life in the United States isn't always easy. DeSa is a native of Vayator, India, a small village in central India.

Because of the differences in culture, it took some time for him to adjust. "It's hard to get used to a different culture," he said. Many of the problems are really subtle differences like the reactions people have or expressions they use.

One cultural difference is evident for most of the international students -- Americans eat evening meals much earlier, and restaurants are not open late at night, DeSa said. "We don't have late night stores, but the restaurants are open."

Holiday celebrations are different as well, DeSa said. The first question most people ask about India is how the nation celebrates holidays and festivals.

But DeSa hasn't been home for any holiday celebrations recently. Since arriving at Southeast in 1995, he hasn't returned to India. He hopes to visit this summer, however.

Many of the nearly 180 international students enrolled at the university have not been home since starting their college careers. Traveling is difficult on such short holiday breaks.

It's often hard to get a visa allowing an extended stay for college study, which makes visits even more difficult, DeSa explained.

International students will present displays about their countries during the International Festival '98 that continues through Saturday. Events are planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University Center.