Ruft Draft for the Challenge and Benefits International Students

Challenge and Benefits of interviewing an international student (or an US student)

                Interviewing international students can be both challenging and rewarding for both party members.  Both the interviewer and interviewee are from two separate worlds and have to come together to make a smooth interview process. Both party members have to work together to overcome obstacles faced in the interview and if one slip up comes up it could ruin the rest of the conversation. Such challenges that will be discussed are: international students and their openness; using appropriate language; and misunderstanding between the interviewer and interviewee.  Despite these challenges it is a rewarding experience because of the knowledge and understanding we have gained from each other and being able to apply that to the real world.

                The first and  most challenging obstacles an international student encounters is revealing information about themselves. “The U.S. is a highly individualistic, direct culture where employers expect you to show confidence in yourself,” where as “international students feel boastful and disrespectful when trying to discuss their qualifications in such an individualistic manner” (Michigan 2). What Michigan State University states here is the United States culture has a more direct approach when expressing their ideas and the other cultures have harder times with this. People with different cultures have different ways to express themselves and they have to find that balance of giving each other enough respect and time with one another because that’s the way they were raised.

                A second obstacle in a interview with an international student is the use of language. It can be difficult for both party members especially the international student because they have to use a language that isn’t their primary language. Like the international student, it is also difficult for the interviewer when it comes to language problems. Michigan State University stats that interviews should keep in mind with “Finding the right words to express yourself professionally in a language that is not your first can be difficult” (Michigan 2). What they are trying to say here is it important for both party members to be careful with how they express their words or ideas because the other person could perceive it a different way.

                A third challenge that comes across in interviewing international students is misunderstanding between the interviewer and the interviewee. This is a very common mistake due to the fact that both people come from two different cultures with different beliefs. As society becomes more diverse, interviewers need to learn more about the cultural backgrounds of the people they interview because it will better prepare them in understanding who they interview and where they come from.

                Even though there are many challenges in interviewing the rewards are significant. An online article explains the importance of understanding people from different cultures. The article states,  “Each cultural groups has unique strengths and perspectives that the larger community can benefit from” (Axner). Every culture has their strengths and weaknesses and by coming together as a strong unison, the world could pull itself together and overcome many obstacles thrown at it. Interviews are a mere step to this because by understanding other people and their different background we will be able to accept them for who they are instead of tearing each other apart. 

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