Students from different countries experience Davis High

By Ji-Yun Park,
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–

Black long curly hair, green- brown hazel eyes, and a bright smile. This 17 year old girl from Dubai heard surprising news from her mom, in June 2012: “I won the lottery, we’re moving to America!”

Many students from foreign countries have come to Davis High this year. These students are challenged to adjust in a new environment and study every subject in their second language.

These students came to the states for various reasons. Perhaps it is because of their parents job or their choice, or even because of an unexpected event like winning the American visa lottery.

Junior Yasaman Bayat came from Dubai to the United States in this September.

“My mom won a lottery. We wanted a better future and we believed in the American dream so we ended up coming here,” Bayot said.

Junior Mohammed Arab also came here in the summer from Saudi Arabia.

“My mom is studying English here to work at UC Davis. I was excited to come here but I miss my friends,” Arab said.

There are three students that came from South Korea in the beginning of this year. Even though they came from the same country their reasons are very diverse.

“I wanted to be separated from my friends. So I asked my mom if I can study in the U.S.,” junior Sarah Yu said.

Senior June Kwon came to America because of his dad’s job. Kwon’s dad is a researcher at UC Davis. They are planning to stay in Davis for one year.

“I like how the school is less strict than in Korea and there are more activities that students can find and involve,” Kwon said.

Although they came here for different reasons, these students share something in common; they left their home and people behind in their own country to start a new life in America. They also had to face some difficulties.

“It’s hard to talk and interact with people because I can’t speak English that well,” Yu said.

Junior Chaewon Kim thinks “learning [English] grammar was the hardest part.”

“For example, in Korean when we ask “are you not going to eat this?” we answer yes to say that I don’t want to eat it but in English you say no. The way you answer a negative question is grammatically different so I always got confused,” Kim said.

Non-native speakers get confused by this because they revert to how they would answer it in their local language.

Kwon and Kim will be going back to their own country in a month. After staying here for a one year long course they will go back to their old school. They said that it was a good experience and they are happy that their English has improved.

These students said that they are enjoying their life here more than where they used to be. They were able to adjust faster than they thought by getting help from around.

“People were kind, really understanding. My friends helped me with my English in the beginning when I came here,” Bayot said.

One place where most of these students gather is in the academic center. Many English learners come here to get help with their homework.

“Our goal is to help as many students as possible and support them,” Academic Center Supervisor Marie Michel said.

Starting this year, the center has decided to have an Academic Center Award to recognize the students who have worked hard and showed good progress. Ten students are selected each month and receive a certificate based on the following five categories: attendance, assignment, effort, organization, and grades.

“I want to encourage the English learners to not be shy and to come in the Academic Center when they need help. It’s a warm environment,” Michel said.