By: Nikitha Taniparti, India.

All the way from Hyderabad to South Bend. So many things to say, yet where to start? I think it started when I was at the US consulate in India at the interview required to get my visa. The interviewer reads, “Ms.Nikitha so-and-so….going to…the University of…NOTRE DAME?!” He stands up and exclaims, “I went to USC!” and I timidly respond, “That’s nice?” What was I supposed to say? Right there – I had absolutely no idea what coming to Notre Dame entailed. From my oblivious bliss of our (actually quite good) football team to my ignorance of what my first winter would feel like, almost every day is still somewhat of a culture shock to me. I am an undergraduate freshman, and, although people are quick to assume I’m just another ‘American Indian’, I really do struggle with being so far away from home for such a long time (five more months till summer break!).

Loyal to the ‘Notre Dame introduction’; you greet people with what your name is, where you’re from, what dorm you’re in, and, if you’re lucky, what major you intend to pursue. Right at the second question, people double back and ask me, “Wait, so you’re really from India? The country? But you’re English is so good, you don’t seem that different! Did you actually live there?” Again, I struggle with how to respond. Living so far away doesn’t mean you live on a different planet. It doesn’t mean you don’t speak English, the unofficial global language. It doesn’t mean we don’t wear jeans and shirts and jewelry just like everyone else. It’s hilarious, bemusing and disorienting all at the same time. I enjoy telling people about the unique qualities of India like the amazing food and tastes, the beautiful clothes, the funny English accents and the fact that there are over 1,000 languages; but I enjoy telling them even more about how I can go to a McDonalds, watch a movie premier that is released in India even before it is released here, listen to Lady Gaga and Eminem on my iPod, play laser tag at school and go to parties in clubs that look like they were transported from New York or Chicago. And the most wonderful part about all of this is: Most other international students can probably say the same. The world is certainly not homogenous, but at the same time, it’s not as segregated and different as people tend to assume initially.

So, while watching people eat corn dogs at South Dining Hall still makes me gawk at such a peculiar food creation and marvel at the culture difference, ‘knocking on wood’ with my (American) roommate to prevent possibly jinxing something gives me comfort that a superstitious  belief that is shared by two people from opposite sides of the world. I’ve realized we’re all different based on where we come from – just not as different as everyone thinks. I continue my mission to spread the word about our ‘different similarities’ and I’m thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.

Oh, and, by the way, Go Irish! Beat USC!

By: Njuhi Chenge, Kenya

My name is Njuhi Chege and I come from Nairobi, Kenya. I’m in my final year of the Masters in Peace Studies Program at The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. I chose Notre Dame because the program allows for a six month international field experience, which I fulfilled in Palestine-Israel.

In my travels around the world, I have discovered a misconception that is shared by quite a lot of people, about Kenya. Firstly, that it is riddled by poverty and hunger. Secondly, that wildlife is the only attraction. So I took it in my stride and have taken it upon myself to expand the narrative about Kenya and its “not so talked about aspects.” This includes the amazing people who consist of over forty-two rich cultures, a vast array of foods, a thriving economy and also the fact that an average Kenyan speaks over three of the 62 languages in Kenya, mainly, their tribal language, Kiswahili and English!

My biggest challenge has been adjusting to life in the USA without the immediate comforts of family and lifelong friends. Leaving my family was one of the hardest choices I have had to make. Adjusting to new surroundings and different culture were the main challenges.

However, it wasn’t long before I built new relationships with students in my program who have become a close knit family of diverse individuals who are all striving to make a lasting impact on humanity and who occasionally host incredibly popular parties dubbed, The Peace Parties.

What do Asian dancers, Salvadoran papusas, and a documentary about South African street soccer have in common? They’re all part of International Education Week (IEW) 2010, presented by International Student Services and Activities (ISSA) at the University of Notre Dame. IEW is a national event coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education to celebrate and promote global exchange between the United States and other countries. IEW is taking place now through Friday, November 19.

Last night, ISSA kicked-off IEW with a free dessert reception  followed by a screening of the documentary film Streetball at 6:30 p.m. in Geddes Hall. The film follows eight South African homeless men – former convicts, gangsters, orphans, and recovering drug and alcohol addicts – who win the chance to represent their home country at the Homeless World Cup finals in Australia and Italy. After years of neglect, abuse, and rejection by society, these players seize the opportunity for a better future and defy the odds. Mike Mastrocinque, associate producer and operations manager of the non-profit From Us With Love (FUWL) that created the film, as well as George Alexander, fundraiser for the Homeless World Cup, hosted a question and answer session after the screening.

Tonight, local international restaurants will showcase their cuisines in the LaFortune Student Center Ballroom from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend this event.

On Thursday, November 18, students will have the opportunity to participate in an international cooking class presented by Notre Dame Food Services’ Chef Miller. Chef Miller will teach students how to prepare a traditional Tuscan meal.

The Asian Association of Notre Dame will celebrate various cultures with song, dance, and other performances on Friday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 20 at 4:00 p.m. at Asian Allure. Cost: $7.

ISSA is sponsoring a sale of goods and handicrafts from the fair trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages, which provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages, which is a non-profit program of the Mennonite Central Committee, works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed, providing sustainable income that pays for food, education, health care and housing. Today through Friday, Ten Thousand Villages will sell products in the Hesburgh Library Atrium from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition, the Department of Art, Art History, and Design is hosting a sale of handicrafts to benefit disadvantaged artisans in Nepal from November 15-19 in the LaFortune Dooley Room between 11:30 and 1:30 p.m.. All proceeds will be donated to the HOPE Initiative.

On Friday, November 19, students can learn how to salsa to a live Latin band from Chicago at the Legend’s of Notre Dame Late Night ND Salsa Nightclub.

All International Education Week events are supporting the American Red Cross, St. Joseph County Chapter, which became an authorized refugee resettlement agency in 2010. Between Oct. 1, 2010, and Sept. 30, 2011, the American Red Cross, St. Joseph County Chapter expects to resettle 80 displaced refugees from around the world. Although the local Chapter has assisted refugees since 2007, the federal government deemed it an official resettlement agency in 2010. Many of these refugees, who have been displaced from their home countries due to persecution for religion, race, nationality or political opinion, arrive in the United States with only the clothes on their backs. As a result, the Refugee Resettlement Program is in need of everyday household items to provide the refugees, including furnishings, linens and unused, unopened toiletries. ISSA will host donation collection boxes at all IEW events.

IEW co-sponsors include the Center for Social Concerns (CSC), Department of Art, Art History & Design, Graduate Student Union (GSU), La Alianza, Legends of Notre Dame, Multicultural Programs and Services (MSPS), Office of International Studies (OIS), and Spanish Club.

By: Lauren Elliott, Canadian International Ambassador

Let’s be honest, we look the same, we sound the same, we both follow the same sports and celebrities – so what is the difference between Canadians and Americans?  Despite a few stereotypes of igloos and cowboys, it’s really hard for an outsider to know.  And that is exactly why something needed to change.

A person’s nationality and cultural background is supposed to define them.  When I use the term define I don’t mean this in a limiting sense, just because one thing defines you, this doesn’t mean it has to hold you back.  Take Terry Fox for instance, a Canadian celebrity.  Terry is famous for starting a journey to run across Canada on one leg.  Yes, that’s one not two legs.  He lost a leg due to a bout with cancer, and this inspired him to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.  Though Terry had to stop his journey short of his goal, his name lives on and inspires Canadians to partake in walks and runs every year to raise money for cancer research.

How many of you have actually heard the name Terry Fox before?  Were this blog written for a Canadian university, the answer would be most, if not all of you.  Since I’m writing at the University of Notre Dame, probably not very many of you.  Google him following this article, it’s a heart wrenching and inspiring story.  But this is exactly my point, our backgrounds define who we are – the culture and traditions that one grows up with is an ingrained part of who they become.  Yes, I live in the USA right now because I am a student there, but that doesn’t make me an American.

When various American holidays come and pass it is hard for me to muster up any real sort of enthusiasm.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m never complaining about a day off and am happy to see my friends excited about the event, but having no childhood memories of the holiday means that I have no fond memories of the date to look back on – it makes a huge difference.  Thanksgiving in November?  I love the time off, I love the food, but to me it doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving.  My (Canadian) Thanksgiving had already come and gone a month before, and nobody celebrated it with me.

This is why I created CANDY – the Canadian Association of Notre Dame Youths.  Like any good business major here at Notre Dame, when we see that there is a need for something, a market that is being overlooked, we rise to the opportunity.  Canadians make up the second largest undergraduate international population at Notre Dame – there are approximately 75 of us Canucks running around campus.  After spending last spring semester filling out paperwork and recruiting officers to form this club, it was finally approved by both SAO and the CCC.  Thus last week CANDY was allowed to participate in Notre Dame’s annual Activities Night.  That night we recruited 120 members, making us an instantly dominant club here on campus – there is no need to be Canadian to join CANDY, but it provides the opportunity for everyone to take part in Canadian cultures and traditions.

2010 is the birth of true Canadian recognition at the University of Notre Dame.  In addition to the founding of CANDY, Notre Dame’s Undergraduate Admissions Office is now adding Toronto as a site to actively recruit students.  If this wasn’t all enough, Notre Dame is also in the midst of reaching out to Canadian alumni to form the first Notre Dame Alumni Club in Canada.

So what is the difference between a Canadian and an American?  Come check out CANDY and see for yourself.

By International Ambassador Lauren Elliott

Entering into the International Ambassador (IA) weekend retreat, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t too excited.  Between missing my final day of work, traveling alone with baggage that weighed more than my entirety, and completely lacking in sleep, I found it difficult to muster up any great level of enthusiasm.

Once we had settled in at the retreat center, it was clear that the ISSA staff had one goal to attain by lunchtime: have everyone learn each others’ names.  Three name-games later, we were finally allowed to sit down for lunch.  That is the first time all the IAs united as a team.  As cliché as it may be, the opportunity to sit down for a meal provided more than just physical sustenance, it truly united us as a team for the first time.  The barriers of nationality, language, age, etc. were all broken down by one commonality – we were all hungry and exhausted.

Following that first meal, the International Ambassadors continued to increasingly become closer over the weekend.  According to Robert Jackson, president of Magnovo Training Group, LLC, “Studies show time and time again that employees involved in corporate team building events come back to work noticeably more productive, enthusiastic, and overall happier.”  In my experience, this mantra proved true.  The IA retreat truly enhanced the experience of International Orientation by allowing the IAs to communicate more effectively, improving team morale, and improving our problem solving skills.  The weekend provided each IA with the opportunity to trust other ambassadors and understand that the best way to work was to work together.

Beyond a successful orientation, the effects of the IA retreat will extend into the rest of the academic year.  This sense of unity will allow for the IA program to grow into a strong one – the program itself is only two years old; it is still developing and defining itself and its role here at Notre Dame.  Looking back, I can’t believe that I was so unsure going into the retreat experience – it truly was one of my best here at Notre Dame.  I came out of the weekend having gained so much: new friends, a more unified IA team, and a stronger (and yet more global) connection to the Notre Dame family.

Welcome to International Student Services & Activities’ (ISSA’s) new blog, Culture Shock. This blog will serve as a platform for international students to reflect on their experiences in the United States, as well as discuss ISSA’s various programs and services.

For more information about ISSA, please visit our website.