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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2005
BETHANY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CELEBRATED
LINDSBORG, KAN.—Swedish Ambassador Jan Eliasson’s recent visit to Lindsborg highlighted the global nature of the Bethany College community. Bethany alumni live and work in 21 countries, and 18 current students are from countries other than the United States.
And they aren't all Swedes.
In fact, only one is a Swedish national.
The country best represented is Nepal.
Five Nepalese students arrived on campus this spring, the first fruits of Bethany's renewed effort to recruit international students.
At Bethany since July 2004, acting director of admissions Cathy Pettis'Baynes is using her international recruiting experience to increase foreign enrollment. Working with recruiting officers in Nepal, Argentina and Ghana, Pettis'Baynes is confident that the Nepalese students are first of many more.
Recruiting foreign students has never been easy, but clearing immigration is more difficult since 9-11. Once students have their required documents, there's no guarantee students will get on the plane that brings them to the United States. "Even with domestic recruits, we don't consider them students until they move into the residence halls and show up in classes. The distance compounds the uncertainty with foreign students,” Pettis’Baynes said.
But the rewards are high, too. Diversity is a must for liberal education, and foreign students bring new perspectives, culture, customs and beliefs to campus. For example, the five Nepalese students represent three different religions: Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. Being at a Lutheran institution doesn’t seem to bother them: "We have religious tolerance no matter what religious temple you go to," Laxmi Gurung said.
"God is one," Monica Bastola added.
And the students bring tuition revenue. Before enrolling, foreign students must commit to paying tuition for a specified number of semesters. International students who meet admissions standards are eligible for a modest scholarship. All other tuition, room and board is the students’ responsibility.
To improve the students’ chances of success at Bethany, foreign students also must show proficiency in English before enrolling. "We're targeting areas around the world where students can afford an American education and secondary education is in English,” she said.
Even with financial means and language skills, foreign students sometimes require more intensive care, but from Pettis’Baynes experience, it's the kind of care at which Bethany excels. "That's our strength. Bethany is friendly, warm and helpful. We'll have no problem making these students feel at home."
The students agree. "The people of Lindsborg are really friendly and helpful," Ramel Dhakal said.
"They're great." Birender Singh adds.
International Student Advisor Tamara Korenman is Bethany’s point person for assisting international students. Regarding the Nepalese students, she said that “they have been very wise and calm. . . .Their hearts are full of appreciation. They're very open to change and growth. I think this philosophy helps them with homesickness, and concern about their families," Korenman said.
And each of them is clearly eager to share their home country with others.
“Do you want to know about Nepal?" Sudip Neupane asked with an eager smile.
Bethany students can’t help but learn. When one of the Nepalese students stands to address a professor in the classroom, other students quickly take notice.
"At home, we stand out of respect, so we like to do that here also," Bastola said. "We explain to people, and they think it's neat."
"They're very interesting people," said Bruce Soulier, a Bethany student from Wisconsin. "They have a whole different perspective on life. Their culture is to be friendly, and they have a great sense of humor."
Their first impressions of the United States have been very good. Singh noted the condition of the environment: "There's no car pollution and the roads are all very good." And for Gurung, the peaceful academic environment has been the most impressive.
"I love everything except beef and pork," Neupane said with a grin.
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