Managing diversity and language barriers. Advice?

[hkem1]

When i was in a dorm we had different activities somewhere around once a month consisting from food bingo (big thing for dorm kids, well where im from any whos) to making cards to send back home to volleyball. Granted we didnt have that diverse of students but it was a great way to get to know other kids. Hope this may help you out some!
Nellie

Thank you for this suggestion! I would love to get it to where, as a dorm, we can do these things; the challenge is getting everyone close enough to where they WANT to do them rather than FORCED to do them.

All of this may sound like touchy-feely drivel but I think when you look back it will make sense:

I can't even describe how much I appreciated your post. I really thank you for taking the time to write that up for me. I will definitely take this advice to heart.

Here is an idea - avoid talking religion and politics. Try things like exercise, sports, musicians in the round, etc, to bond them with their similarities.

You know, I think it's interesting you bring that up because my experience has been that the Asian kids love talking about their government and political system at home. I think it makes them feel like they are more appreciated and welcome if I ask questions about where they live. It's also great for me because, as much as reading about their cultures and government can help me learn about them, nothing beats picking the brain of a kid who actually lives there. They are also very curious about our government and politics, especially during an election year like this one.

Religion on the other hand, I don't think I have ever discussed with an international student and don't plan to.

 

[Koa]

Sounds great that the Asians like talking about their government. Maybe you guys can sit around and listen to the Asians talk about government. I'm sure that it will go well.

 

[hkem1]

Sounds great that the Asians like talking about their government. Maybe you guys can sit around and listen to the Asians talk about government. I'm sure that it will go well.

You know, they're people as well and should be able to talk about their governments. Just because the Chinese government has been oppressing human rights does not mean all the citizens believe in that as well.

Not to mention, many of these students come from very high-class group of people in China, so it will be nice to have those connections one day.