CrandellReadingResponseTwo

As I began the next section of reading, I was surprised at how well I could understand where many of the international students were coming from. This past summer I had the wonderful opportunity of working with some international students at a summer camp. I was literally embarrassed at how little I knew about their culture and just the fact that I could not even picture in my head where exactly their country was located. These international students were from England, Germany and Australia! I should have known more. I did not know whether to blame myself or the schooling I received. A positive thing was that I had the time to ask questions and to really get to know them well. Even now, I stay in contact with a few of them by email and Facebook. I feel I was able to build these friendships because we all were at camp, did not know other people and we had time. At school it is easy just to go on your merry way, not ask questions, and just do what is required. The people in class are classmates, but not necessarily friends and it is easy to become friends with people who have common interests. I feel if I did not have the “camp atmosphere” I would not have made the friends I did. Why would I have chosen to feel inferior and at times dumb? In my opinion, it is not that American students do not want to get to know international students; it is because a friendship with them is in some cases unknown. What do I ask them? What are their hobbies? Do they eat the same food? Will I understand what they are saying? These are questions that can be asked and it can be intimidating. I really like how Nathan incorporated this into her book and I agree with everything she said. I do wish Americans could be more open to new ideas and different types of people. It is something everyone could work on.