International Friends of CSC debuts

Kevin Spears, coordinator of international education, speaking at an informational meeting about the program Wednesday night on campus, noted that the number of international students at CSC is expected to reach 50 by May of 2014.

Ten new international students arrived this fall and 10 more are set to enroll in the spring from countries including Ethiopia, Nepal, Japan and China.

Applications to participate in the program are currently being accepted from families who would like to host CSC students and from the students as well.

Applications can be picked up at Crites Hall Room 229 during regular office hours Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The next step will be a group gathering for interested families and students to get to know each other better - tentatively set for mid-January.

Expectations of those who volunteer for the program might include providing a ride for a student to or from the airport, sharing a meal or allowing the student to cook an authentic meal for the host family.

Several families including Sid and Pam Shuler, Linn and Mel Ainslie and Shawn and Jodi Banzhaf spoke to the group about their experiences with host students in the past.

Shawn Banzhaf, an adjunct instructor and Chi Alpha pastor shared an experience when a college student from Pakistan visited his family’s home for a meal.

The young woman had only been in the U.S. for three days and eaten pizza and hamburgers much of that time. Banzhaf had been trying perfect curry for quite some time and the student asked him how it was possible that she could travel so far and still find food that tasted like home.

“She was amazed that she could see and smell her food cooking. I looked around my dining room at all the international students gathered there and felt like I was in the Middle East at 419 West 2nd in Chadron. Their culture is so communal and family-oriented. I love it,” Banzhaf said.

“Every one of your houses can become an extension of our office,” said Doris Liang, president of the CSC International Club and a student worker in Spears’ office.