Mar 07 / International Students Conceptions About America/Iowa Change

By Mark Geary, Reporter, KCRG-TV News

This article was originally published here.

CEDAR RAPIDS —People in other countries often have negative or wrong impressions of America. Since September 11th, the U.S. State Department has encouraged more international students to study here, hopefully making them ambassadors for America.

Wednesday evening, a group of twelve foreign teens met with Cedar Rapids Mayor Kay Halloran and attended a council meeting to learn about politics.

When the students arrived in America back in August, they had plenty of misconceptions.

“I thought people were mean and bad. I thought that everybody’s blond, blue eyes, white and tall,” Juliene Casio, a student from the Philippines said.

Egyptian student Shady El-Faham said, “I thought it would be my job to correct this idea in some people’s minds that all Muslims and Arabs are terrorists.”

Now, they’re eager to learn more about U.S. politics and culture. The teens spent more than an hour asking Halloran questions about the city and her job.

“I think she’s a strong lady. She’s very committed to being mayor,” Miguel Parra, a student from Venezuela said.

During their short time here in Iowa, the students’ opinions about America have drastically changed and they’ve made a lot of friends.

“They know that I’m Muslim and Arab and regardless, they talked to me and they said, ‘do you want to go out with us? Do you want to come with us?’” El-Faham said.

“When I met people, they were so nice. They were so humble. They appreciate you for who you are,” Casio said.

Many of the students also praise the American school system. They like how teachers are willing to help after class.

“Here in the United States, you actually can choose your classes and have extra credit…which is wonderful,” Parra said.

When these students return to their home countries, they’ll become the teachers. They plan to explain what America is really like to their friends and family.

Many of the students said they thought America’s streets were really clean. But, they all wish the city had a stronger public transportation system.

Many of them are used to taking the bus or train to get the places they want to go. The students head home in June.

Click here to see video!

KCRG / Cedar Rapids TV Co./ABC