Some of the biggest obstacles international students face are cultural, according to Akmalijon Ergashev, an international student at Sinclair Community College. Cultural differences not only affected his personal life but his school life as well.
Ergashev said he feels that the American school system has different aspects compared to his home country Tajikistan, which made it difficult to adjust. Once he got integrated with the American culture through his friends and host family, things got easier.
“Cultural obstacles play a great role in everyone’s life,” said Ergashev. “When you’re in a different environment you either judge cultures or get upset.”
Sheyla Alspach is a student at Sinclair who has been in the United States since she moved from Ecuador in 1984. Alspach said that adjusting to new cultures can be difficult. One thing she points out as being difficult is becoming accustomed to the language.
“When I first came here, I had a fear of speaking,” said Alspach. “I didn’t speak English for a year.”
Alspach went to a bilingual school in Ecuador and said she felt like she had a pretty good command over the English language, but was intimidated by those who spoke English as a primary language.
After taking a communication class and conquering his fear of public speaking, Ergashev is now an active member of many clubs on campus. He is a secretary of the Toast Masters International club, a member of the Muslim Student Association and president of the Sinclair Global Awareness Club. He also works in registration.
Alspach said she is starting to discover many clubs that Sinclair has to offer. She said she loves all of the opportunities Sinclair is offering her.
After Sinclair, Ergashev intends on continuing his education at a four-year university. He has been on the dean’s list every quarter and said he feels Sinclair has helped him feel prepared to move on. Ergashev said that he likes the environment at Sinclair.
“I’m very content with how things work here,” said Ergashev. “There are many great professors and students.”