Imagine being in a foreign country, studying quietly in the library, only to be interrupted by an uninvited twenty-something male who decides to “expose” himself to you.

Nana Yamaguchi, an international student from Yokohama, Japan, experienced such an unfortunate incident within her first six months in the United States as she studied in the campus library.

“I couldn?t believe it,” said Yamaguchi, who immediately reported the incident to the campus police. “I was shocked.”

Although Yamaguchi?s “flasher” incident was upsetting, it pales in comparison to the daily challenges she faces as an international student at Sacramento State.

Nine months ago, as a junior at her hometown?s Seikei University, 24-year-old Yamaguchi was on her way to a successful career in computer science before she had a serious change of heart. Feeling a future in journalism would better suit her, Yamaguchi decided to switch, only to find that journalism isn?t even offered in Japan. For Yamaguchi the decision was clear ? she would leave behind the comforts of home and study in America.

As Yamaguchi quickly learned, the prerequisites for studying abroad are both timely and costly for the student and their family. Before she was even allowed to apply to a university outside of Japan, she was faced with rules and regulations that the average American student never dreams of. To be allowed to study in this country, she learned, first requires a visa-stamped passport accompanied by a certification of eligibility, both of which are obtained in a lengthy process through Immigration and Naturalization Services.

After paying $1000 to a company in Japan for the completion of all her paperwork in English, Yamaguchi was then faced with the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam. Upon passing the exam, all international students are subjected to a financial background check to verify that they are supported with the necessary funds for their entire length of study, as financial aid is not available for them in the United States. For Akira Masuda, an international student from Tokyo, Japan and a junior in government at Sac State, the choice to study in the United States was simple.

“America welcomes immigrants [and] has more [of an] open mind,” said Masuda who transferred two months ago. “I preferred Sacramento because it is greener, much like Japan.”

According to Shahril “Reza” Shaheen of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, students who choose to study abroad from his country often opt for England.

“Most (students) wouldn?t choose America because it is so far,” said Shaheen, a freshman majoring in business. “I wanted to be different.”

Shaheen decided to study in Sacramento with the recommendation of his aunt, who graduated eight years ago from Sac State. “My main [goal] is to improve my English?to try to speak and be friends with native speakers.”

To Yamaguchi, even after all the paperwork and preparation of a life-changing experience such as leaving your country for the first time, it wasn?t until after she set foot on American soil that reality actually set in.

“I went to a coffee shop and ordered coffee, but the man did not understand me,” she said. “I had to use hand gestures, it was very frustrating.”

Realizing her need to better prepare herself for studying in English at a university, Yamaguchi began living with a host and enrolled at Kaplan English School for two months prior to starting last semester at Sac State.

“I was scared. I thought, how can I improve my English?” said Yamaguchi, hard pressed to see herself succeed at learning the language.

At the English school, she met students from countries around the world, and felt more at ease when she was introduced to others who had come over from Japan. Although the school helped,Yamaguchi said, speaking only English in the classroom was not required. In order to speak and understand English well, she knew it would require her to spend more time with native speakers.

Insecure of her broken English, Yamaguchi gathered her courage and tried to erase the stereotypes she had learned in Japan.

“I [had] heard many stories that American people were tough and that they never stop talking,” she said.

American classes, however, are a totally different experience. Aside from more homework, Yamaguchi notes that attendance is a substantial requirement, unlike in Japan where the grading comes solely from exams.

According to Shaheen, it appears many students would rather skip the general education requirements and go straight to the classes related to their major. This, he said, is one of the main benefits of studying in the U.S.

“In the British study system there is mostly studies and no activities,” said Shaheen of Malaysia, where the classes are set for the entire length of study. “I am taking a music class and now I am interested in music.”

The main disadvantage in the American classroom, said Yamaguchi and Masuda, are the class discussions, where most Americans speak too quickly for them.

“It is hard to participate in discussions when a native speaker [of English] is speaking?they are fast,” Yamaguchi said.

Yamaguchi also sees the students at Sac State as quiet and more respectful of their instructors than Japanese students.

“Students at a Japanese university are so rude,” Yamaguchi said. “They never stop talking, even through lectures.”

Instructors have been great contributors in her gaining of confidence as an English speaker.

Most, she said, “try to absorb” from her, and will include her in the discussion, which she attributes to being one of the most helpful tactics to an international student.

Of American students, Yamaguchi was surprised to learn how much more personal they are with each other compared to Japanese students.

“In Japan, people really don?t speak about personal lives. Many times during required group discussions, American students will start talking about their weekends.”

The cultural differences that international students face are numerous. For Yamaguchi, not having to remove her shoes all the time and the American trend of freezing food were big adjustments. Even when she was taken to a Japanese restaurant in Sacramento, Yamaguchi said, she was surprised with the Chinese and Korean influences on foods thought in America to be “traditionally Japanese.”

For Akira Masuda, adjusting from Japanese to American culture has been an easy transition.

“My generation is more American, the food, the television, the movies are American,” Masuda said. “I think it is important to get out of Japan and practice communicating with American people.”

Like Masuda, Shaheen?s exposure to American culture through things such as television and the movies have become a way of life in Malaysia.

“Teenagers are starting to go to the U.S. fashions?they prefer [Hollywood-generated] movies. America is full of choices. Personally, I would advise [international students] to try to do something different and try new things.”

Cultural stereotypes, Yamaguchi said, are not just from the American perspective. “My parents still think cowboys exist and all Americans walk around carrying guns,” she said.

Although Yamaguchi is thoroughly enjoying her education and stay in Sacramento, like all international students she is constantly in a race against time and money, having to pay an additional $246.00 for each unit enrolled. While enrolled in 18 units this fall semester, her tuition is $5,363, over three times the resident tuition price. The cost of living rolls over to a substantial sum of money as well, so the sooner she earns her undergraduate degree, the less money her retired parents spend.

“It costs my parents a lot of money for me to study in the United States and my dad complains, but I tell him, ?Dad, I am studying to get a good job, so I can take care of you and mom when I go back to Japan,” said Yamaguchi.

“This [studying in the United States] is an important event in my life. I left my country and my family. I need it to succeed.”