Foreign students look to student leaders for new ways to become active in the Notre Dame community
KEVIN ALLEN
News Writer
In an attempt to provide international students with a stronger voice on campus, a group of foreign undergraduate students met to discuss possible strategies for involving more international students in campus activities. Connie Peterson-Miller, assistant director for International Student Services and Activities (ISSA), organized the forum.
Last November, in an effort to provide international students with a better voice in student government, Libby Bishop, student body president, proposed the addition of an international student representative to the Campus Life Council. Because of the structure of the CLC, the idea was rejected but that did not halt the initiative to better include the unique perspectives of international students in University life.
Peterson-Miller said most of the students in attendance at the Jan. 23 meeting were not necessarily interested in running for student government offices, but they wanted to learn more about the process of becoming involved at Notre Dame. ISSA currently works with First Year Studies and student government to deliver that type of information to international students when they arrive at Notre Dame as freshmen.
"International students don't necessarily feel like they need special favors, but they have unique insights and perspectives that could benefit the student body as a whole," said Peterson-Miller.
Student body vice-president Trip Foley attended the forum to offer support from student government for international students. Foley said most of the students present were freshmen and seemed to be happy with University services, but have found it difficult at times to learn about all of the opportunities that are available.
"A lot of their concerns were not much different from those of any group of students," said Foley.
Notre Dame hosts over 1,000 international students from about 100 countries, but only 266 of these students are undergraduates. Due to their larger numbers, international graduate students are more organized, Peterson-Miller said.
Several international undergraduates still manage to become involved in activities on campus, but several obstacles stand in the way.
Kriti Kohli, a sophomore from India, who is involved with the Student Union Board, said it is difficult for international students to run for student government positions or to become involved with other activities because of issues such as culture shock and homesickness. Kohli added that many international students do not know about all the opportunities available to them.
Kohli said an international student representative on student government or the CLC would be of immense help to international undergraduates. "At least international students would have a voice," said Kohli.
All News Stories for Monday, February 3, 2003
