By Xin Zhao for Murphy News Service

Chao Liu once was a junior at the University of Oregon, majoring in engineer science.

Living in Eugene, a small town supported mainly by the university, the Chinese student said he did not feel he was a part of the local community.

“I felt lonely as I did not feel I was part of Eugene, and every day was the same for me. I wished I could go back with my family,” Liu said, his eyes looking to the ground.

For nearly two years Liu said he spent most of his time in school library.

No other choices seemed evident to him.  Living thousands miles away from home, he did not have many close friends in Eugene, but he was tired of always searching the archives.

Wandering on campus one day, Liu noticed an on-campus activity — dog walking. It drew his attention.

“People were running, playing and hugging those dogs, who had been abandoned,” Liu said.

He said he loves animals but had never thought to have one because, “I don’t want to leave them or abandon them when I leave United States one day.”

Liu contacted the dog-walking program and was accepted by the Green Hill Humane Society, an animal shelter located in  Eugene.

Liu began driving to the shelter at least twice a week volunteering to help clean cages, walk dogs and give a hand however needed.

Standing by Stella, an older dog that Liu had developed a close bond, he added, “I am happy to see those unfortunate animals live normal life at here. I hope families will adopt them even though I will miss them all. I love to be with them. I have (some)thing to do after classes.”

Liu’s story is not an aberration. Loneliness is a common feeling that a growing number of international students share. Liu was able to overcome his loneliness by becoming involved in a community activity where he met others.

Other international students don’t easily or ever find a turning point such as Liu’s.

Tram Vu, a Vietnamese sophomore student at the University of Minnesota majoring in management, shared her experiences.

“I have been Minnesota for three years. Two years at high schools. One year at here.” she added, “It is true. I can feel Liu(‘s loneliness) in the exactly same way.”

“The most challenging things are about finding self-identity in a new environment and the feeling of belonging,” Vu said. “At first,I was frustrated with how to keep connected with my old friends in Vietnam after I recognized I was not belonging to native(American)  culture.” To meet new people and be positive to find self-identity, Vu pushed herself out of her comfort zone. She said she decided to join in a “family.”

Vu now works at the Minnesota International Students Association (MISA) as an international engagement coordinator, after spending more than a six months at the Education Program for Vietnamese Students. As the leader of her department, Vu stays busy and more passionate than before.

“More than 200 people will attend our programs like Feast of Nations regularly. Sometimes, there are more than 1,000 people get involved.” Vu’s responsibilities are to represent MISA, to create networks, to oversee the overall structure of her team.

In her office located on the second floor of U’s Coffman Memorial Union, Vu  one day laughed and chatted with her friends — none of them American. When asked about how many American friends she has so far, Vu replied quickly, “A few. But I have a lot of friends at here. We are almost all come from different cultures. We are minority groups in United States.”

“People said language barriers are the reason for that,” Vu said., “but I think cultural difference is the main reason out of all. People without the same experiences don’t know how to keep the conversation going … Mutual understanding requires a long time to form …”

program coordinator for the U’s Student Engagement & Intercultural Initiatives Department of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

More international students are studying in United States. The U has at least 4,000 international students. The increasing number of international students requires universities to prepare for academic and psychological assistance to help them in the early stages of college life abroad.

Marina Uehara is program coordinator for the U’s Student Engagement & Intercultural Initiatives Department of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).

“We list a lot of helpful information and contacts on the brochures that every international student will receive on the orientation day shortly after their arrival on campus,” Uehara said.

“International students are more than welcome to register for our programs, she said. “For example, International Buddy Program is supposed to pair new international students with students who have been here for a while. This is a great opportunity for international students to adjust to a new cultural environment by having someone with you”

The mission of ISSS, Uehara said, is to help the U “be a world-class university and to develop global citizens who appreciate cultural variety and have multi-linguistic ability to pursue a greater success.”

Uehara emphasized the role of ISSS in a broad U initiative., adding, “We work across campus and keep close contact with all colleges to provide support for not only international students, but also researchers, faculty, and staff from various cultural backgrounds.

“ISSS provides academic help for international students since we remain in close relationship with different colleges,” Uehara said. “Every international student can come in by just knocking the door. We are trained to help them. We also have a lot of information for international students who plan to immigrate to the United States.”

“Our goal is to embrace cultural differences and use a holistic approach that respects multiple identities based on race, sexual orientation, beliefs, and ethnicity, ” Uehara said.

Playing a different role from ISSS, the Minnesota International Students Association pays more attention on how to enrich life here for international students through getting more people involved in minority communities.

As an umbrella organization, MISA supports small cultural groups and multinational students to build a more diversified campus. “We hire international students in MISA, create networks, and introduce international students to a large number of students’ groups that they may interested in. Volunteering, (as the University of Oregon’s Liu did), is another way that international students can get involved in local life,” Vu said.

“There is still a long way to go,” she said. “We are focusing on inviting native students who are interested in different cultures now. The next step, I hope, our program will draw attention from the general public because multicultural friendship and cooperation will enrich both native and international students’ experiences on campus.”

Vu also mentioned, “More and more second- and third-generations in United States are getting involved in our program. They begin to realize the value of their cultural heritage and feel curious about what their ancestors’ life looked like. This is a chance for us to absorb more native students into MISA.”

When asked her advice to incoming international students, Vu said, “Try to understand who you are, what you want, and appreciate cultural differences.

“Also,” she said, “people have different expectations of friendship, so don’t push so hard. MISA is always open for international students who want to make friends or feel lonely.”

Reporter Xin Zhao is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.