It disheartens me to hear the negative views expressed toward the international students at Iowa State.

I know that they are not only an important part of this university, but they are also a great asset to the “national” students.

I have had the privilege of working with quite a few different international students over the past year-and-a-half. These experiences have benefitted me immensely. Not only have I been able to gain a first-hand perspective of other cultures, I have gained many friends as well.

We all have an opportunity to discuss things we learn in our textbooks with people who have actually lived in those cultures. We have a great deal to lose by overlooking internationals.

I would challenge you to reach out to the international students in your classes and at your jobs. They are in a strange land with a strange language. They will never fully grasp the American lifestyle without help from an American. Sure, they can probably get by without too many horrendous problems, but I would like to see them succeed and come to love this country and its people.

If I were in another country, I would want someone to reach out to me and help me with the language, the culture and things that seem simple like buying groceries; that would be a huge challenge.

The bottom line is: Learn from internationals. It may be the only chance you have to come face to face with their countries or cultures.

Erin Olsen

Senior

Apparel design