International students adjust to L.A. just fine

Published: Friday, October 28, 1994

Still maintaining ties to home, most students comfortable with California attitude

By Naoki Naruse

Although Roy Henker, a UCLA physics graduate student from Germany, has been in Los Angeles for three years, he likes to keep up with German news through a weekly newsletter that the German government sends to his house. It helps him remember home, while still focusing on his studies here.

One of the almost 7,000 students from other countries on campus, he said he has adjusted to L.A. with ease.

"I feel just fine," said Olga Roykh, who came to UCLA from the Ukraine two years ago to study psychology. "Sometimes I miss my friends. But I don't really miss (the Ukraine) because I have everything I need here."

Palm trees, a 70-degree winter day and the allure of the Southern California coast all contribute to a conspicuous lack of home sickness among many foreign students, they said.

"If you come from a place where it rains often, you will really appreciate the sunny weather," Henker said.

On top of the Southland's environmental appeal, some foreign students said mingling with different kinds of people may be the best part about studying here. "What I like about Los Angeles is the diversity of the people you can meet," said Graciano Papino, a Mexican graduate student in electrical engineering. "The society is more violent than Mexico, but you can adjust to anything you want."

But just because they are not at home doesn't mean that home is forgotten. Far from it. They have their own ways of keeping abreast of their countries' events. Many who are computer literate have taken advantage of the "Information Superhighway," using technology to keep connected with goings-on back home.

Terry Gonzales, a student from Brazil preparing for a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, reads an electronic newspaper everyday on his computer screen. "I can know everything that's happening (in Brazil)," he said.

But Americans' favorite news source the television isn't as informative to foreign students, they said. "Here in the U.S. (network television stations) don't do anything about South America," Gonzales said.

"I ask my parents about important (issues)," said Isabelle Poupeau, a French public health student. "I watch news but (there is) nothing about France."

And though they may be thousands of miles away from home, many still maintain a dedication to their country's government.

On October 14th, Gonzales went to the Brazilian consulate in Los Angeles to vote for a new Brazilian president. "I didn't vote for the new president," he said. "He's a good president but I'm concerned about his alliance with a conservative group."

Though keeping ties to their homeland is important, not all foreign students like to be informed about their countries. In fact, some are downright interested in forgetting.

"I'm not interested (in Ukrainian politics). I'm sick and tired of those political problems," Roykh said. "I feel bad for people who stay there (because of the economy). I really hope (the economy) is going to get better. But I'm not interested in it any more."

In addition, living apart from their families seems to foster a greater sense of independence. Papino said he has been more independent since he came to Los Angeles two and half years ago.

"In Mexico, (the society) is more family-oriented," he said. "(We're) more connected to family all the time. It has been a good change for me."

And while Papino gained a better understanding of how to handle the world on his own, many other students discovered that American values really appeal to them.

"(U.S. society) gives me a hope," said Ayumi Baba, a senior psychology major from Japan. "It seems like there are more people who evaluate your ability positively. It's easier for me to live in America than Japan because I like people who express their opinions clearly."

But for some, there is a constant gravity towards home, reminding them that they have to go back someday regardless of how much they like L.A. or the United States.

"I would prefer to work here, because here they pay higher salary than in Brazil. In the U.S., you can find anything you want cheaper (than Brazil)," Gonzales said. "Living is much more comfortable here than Brazil. But I don't know ... it's hard to explain, but I think it's mostly because of the people, friends and everything."