Editor’s Note: This is the fourth in a four-part series examining difficulties faced by international students. This article addresses how international students find their native foods and celebrate their faith.

While they may be far from home, international students still find ways to celebrate their faiths and fill their stomachs.

Abul Shuvo, president of the Bangladesh Student Association, said he was shocked when he was not able to find the ingredients he needed to cook when he moved to Ames three years ago.

While Shuvo, junior in electrical engineering, soon found other places to shop for special foods, his main concern was being able to find Halel meat, which is from slaughtered animals for and in the name of Allah. Shuvo, who is Muslim, can only eat meat slaughtered in this manner.

While he has adapted to American food, Shuvo said he still doesn’t like hamburgers.

A unique problem Indian students face at the grocery store is finding the spices they need. One of the few places in Ames that does sell the Indian spices is the Pammel Grocery Store in Pammel Court, across the street from Hawthorn Court.

“We have a little spicier food than the U.S.,” said Alok Thakur, junior in electrical engineering from India. He said he also enjoys eating cheesecake because of its unique taste.

Sometimes an international student’s first experience with American food can be a little disappointing.

“The restaurants here say they are `Chinese’ but they don’t really have Chinese food,” said Sze-Kay Yau, senior in graphic design from Hong Kong.

Viveck Rao, president of the Indian Student Association said his first experience with American food was at a Taco Bell. He was told Taco Bell had spicy food so he asked for something spicy and they served him nachos.

“They weren’t spicy,” he said with a laugh.

Besides cooking difficulties, international students also have trouble finding religious places in Ames. Sometimes they may have to hold local religious ceremonies in their dorm rooms.

Thakur said he goes to the Hindu temple in Chicago when he gets the chance.

“We [Hindu] believe in idol worship, so I have pictures sitting right next to my computer, and when I need help, I pray,” he said.

Shuvo said Muslims find it hard to go to daily prayer at the local mosque in Ames because of classes scheduled during prayers.

“These are the challenges that they have to face when they choose a Non-Islamic country for their higher education,” he said. “We do celebrate our tradition and religion through BSA on weekends and do social gatherings and try to reduce the social atmospheric gap between here in Ames and there in our native land.”