International students of all nations – welcome. Welcome to your new home, your new school and your new life. Welcome to your very personal American adventure.

Being an international student myself, I have gone through the very same pitfalls and pleasures you are about to experience.

Here’s my first piece of advice: Always carry your schedule of classes with you. It not only includes a map that tells you where all the offices are, but it also contains a list of office numbers if you can’t find the office on the map.

If you have recently gone through your international student materials but suffer from short-term memory syndrome, I will repeat the most obvious office and number you need to know for quick assistance.

The International Student Office is located in building M-1. The office phone number is 408-864-8826.

Aside from that, I won’t tell you much about where to go or whom to call because I’m sure you’ve heard that many times .

Instead, I will give you basic hints and bits of information that I hope will be helpful in your adventurous time. Here we go:

Don’t worry – do ask

Don’t worry. You are new here, and you have every right to be confused, concerned or even clueless. And precisely because you are new, you must never hesitate to ask. The more you ask, the more you will know. The more you know, the less you will worry.

Understanding others

Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything. I have been here for over a year and still don’t understand what some of my teachers are saying. Carry a pocket dictionary around with you so that you can look up words you don’t know.

Also, in case you don’t suffer from short-term memory, try to remember the new words you have heard and/or looked up.

Others understanding you

Don’t worry if not everybody understands everything you say. I have been here for over a year and still have an accent that causes comments.

Having an accent is chic, it sets you apart from the rest of the bunch. Wear your accent proudly and smile when you talk. People will understand you better than you might think.

Your classes

Don’t worry about the classes you are taking in the beginning. Your international student counselor will most likely sign you up for one math class, one English class and one “fun” class.

Read the De Anza catalog and the schedule of classes to find about classes that might be fun for you. Take an arts, music or sports class for relaxation, and as an alternative to the classes you have to take. You will see that De Anza offers more classes than you would ever be able to take. Therefore, find out as much as you can about classes, and then hand-pick the ones that fulfill all your needs.

If you’re clueless about interesting classes, check out the article on new classes here.

Making money

Tuition for international students is nastily high at De Anza. Don’t worry about it. Be angry about it, and then find ways to ease any financial burdens you have.

If you need money, you will have to go with the traditional way most Americans make money: earn it. Ask the bookstore, cafeteria, library, open media lab, Tutorial Center or the Broadcast Media Center if they are hiring.

If you don’t want to work, learn about scholarships available for international students.

The Financial Aid Office can give you all the starting information you need. Refer to the schedule of classes for the office number and location. Also, check out the article on Web resources for scholarship information here, and the article on Managing your tuition payments here.

If you are rich and you don’t need extra money, forget the paragraphs about making money or donate your extra money to other international students.

Hanging out

“Hang out” is an important phrase to learn. It’s also lifestyle advice that you may want to use in case you wish to acclimate to the local student customs. To hang out means to frequent a place or reside, but you already know that because by now you have a pocket dictionary with you.

You can hang out any place on or off campus to study, talk, relax or have fun. Many students pick a favorite place to hang out. The great thing is that you can pick pretty much any place you like and declare it your favorite hang-out place.

That’s part of the famous and fabulous freedom Americans talk so proudly about.

If you lack the curiosity or imagination to find your favorite hang-out place, check out the Entertainment guide on places to hang out here for inspiration.

Making friends you can hang out with

Once you’ve found a hang-out place, it might be fun to find some friends who will hang out with you at your new favorite spot.

Making friends at De Anza is easy. You’ll meet people in the International Student Office, in your classes and at work.

If you don’t meet enough people, join a club on campus. Check out club info here.

If you can’t find a club that fits your interests, talk to people at your favorite hang-out place. They have at least one thing in common with you: they like the same hang-out place.

I listed making friends last, because I believe it’s one of the most important pieces of advice.

There is no way to provide information for all aspects of your life as an international student here at De Anza.

However, once you have friends, everything will become easier. You will have someone to ask about anything important left out of this article. You will have someone to help you and share your adventure.

Because that’s what it is.

It’s an adventure with all the problems, pitfalls and pleasures you can imagine. But it’s an adventure worth taking, because you’ll see and learn more than you could ever imagine.

Welcome to your adventure. Welcome to your new life. Welcome to America.

– Jasmin Bodmer is an international student.