Disclaimer: Originally published on the St. Cloud State University campus paper, the University Chronicle, on the March 19th 2009. Written by Kai.
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Many international students play an important role at SCSU. They bring their cultures and experiences, enriching the lives of SCSU students and the surrounding community.
But many international students face barriers adapting to American culture, which is why SCSU offers cultural orientation classes.
Benjamin Stonehocker is a graduate assistant at SCSU who is currently pursuing his master’s degree while teaching the ESL 150, Cultural Orientation class.
Stonehocker conducts his class to make sure the students feel comfortable being in the new environment.
“It’s important that you’re friendly with international students,” Stonehocker said.
Stonehocker’s interest and passion in teaching the English language to international students started when he was pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business.
He had a Korean friend and whenever she was bored or homesick, he was there for her. He said he wanted to help international students feel more at ease and at home in the U.S.
One of his more memorable attempts to do so was when he once invited his international friends over for Thanksgiving dinner.
“Being all women and just me, they were enthralled because they have never seen men in the kitchen,” Stonehocker said.
He has always loved history and looking back now he remembers that when he was in college he did not want to be a teacher.
Stonehocker has also immersed himself in many fields. He has worked in the military as a nuclear engineer, been a DJ on Kiss 96.7 and KCLD and has worked as a nurse aid for four years.
Last summer he traveled to Korea to teach the English as a second language course at Woosong University.
When asked if the language barrier poses a problem to him, Stonehocker said, “That little awkward moment, I love it.”
He said it is a challenging job but a lot of fun at the same time. Part of what he enjoys is that he never knows what to expect. He enjoys learning the different languages of his students and also listening to the amazing stories they tell.
The students appreciate and enjoy his classes as well.
“He will give everybody a chance to talk about their opinions,” Jia Wern a student from China said. “He respects all the students.”
Many international students face problems such as being unable to make new friends, having problems sleeping at night or simply getting used to American culture.
Stonehocker presents himself as an outlet they can talk to while at the same time he refers students to the many professional services offered at SCSU.
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