Better late than never

For foreign students, studying in DU is not without its initial handicaps. However, it is the respective country associations that help these students tide over their problems

North Campus is the place where students come from all over the world to pursue various courses here. However, lack of familiarity with local culture, mindset and language are initial handicaps which every foreign student has to cope with right. Coming all the way from Korea, Afghanistan, Nepal, Vietnam and to study in DU is not an easy task. With all kinds of problems right from accommodation to communication, the students initially find themselves like a fish out of water. In order to deal with these initial irritants, these students touch base with their respective country’s association which in turn is directly affiliated to the foreign embassies that helps them to overcome their diffidence and make them feel at home.While speaking to a few foreign students, NDP discovered how important these organisations are to them in their day to day life. "Even if we have some problem in studies, the organisation called Taiwanese Buddhist Association, arranges tutorial classes for us," says N Dac Sy from International Students Hostel, who is originally from Vietnam. Like N Dac Sy, there are other students for whom these associations act like a life support system. Sangdo Yoon of Korean nationality, and a second year student from SRCC, talks about the vital role played by Delhi University Korean Students Union in his life. "We are almost 60 Korean students in Delhi and our needs are taken care of by this association. We are even taught the basics of how to mingle with Indian students and strike up friendship with them."While other foreign students find it a cumbersome job to get acquainted with the campus and locals, for Sushant Joshi, a second year student of BCom (H) SRCC does not feel the same. For him settling here in the campus was just like any other outstation student. "If one has some friends and seniors in the campus, then life is quite easy. That is why I am not aware of any such organisation," explains Joshi.So, these foreign students’ associations continue to help these students find a small home away from home. Faaiz from Afghanistan also talked about the valuable support his native Afghan Students Association offers from time to time.