Culture shock is not something Americans can easily understand.

With Mickey D’s, Coco-Cola and rock ‘n roll permeating other countries, no matter where Americans go there always is a little bit of home.

For international students studying in America, adjusting is a challenge.

Emin Nabiyev, a political science graduate student and vice president of the association of International Students, said culture shock, which is mostly caused by not feeling accepted, is the first challenge new international students face.

“People behave differently than you’re use to them,” he said. “Especially for those who come from more collectivist cultures where they are not individualist like (people are) here.

“It makes them feel lonely and homesick, and while all this is happening, all the responsibilities of personal and academic tend to build pressure on the person.”

Nabiyev said when he first came to America he was told to be a “sponge.” In other words, he was encouraged to get involved and do the things Americans do.

“They’ll first laugh at you, but they’ll see that you’re trying and eventually accept you,” he said.

Another challenge is the language barrier. President of AIS and junior finances major, Abdoulaye Traore said he thinks this is the No. 1 challenge faced by international students because English is normally students’ second or third language. This only compounds culture shock.

“On top of (language), the culture is a problem,” Traore said. “America is different from other countries. You need to adjust to this new culture, and that is not easy.”

To help the campus community and the international students socialize more, AIS is sponsoring an international week.

Starting today, the entire week is going to be labeled as international week, Nabiyev said.

It’s celebrating all the international students, their cultures and the countries they came from.”

Events range from an international forum, where Indian and Pakistani students will teach participants how to play cricket, to a poetry reading by Nobel prize nominee Bei Dao and an international potluck dinner.

Traore is looking forward most to the dinner because he said he loves to eat.

Of the week overall, he said, “It’s a good thing in and of itself. I think its beautiful thing – to hang out with people from all over the world.”

Event: International forum: “How to Play Cricket”

Date: Today

When: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Charleston-Mattoon Room

Event: Game show: “Who wants to be a global citizen?”

Date: Tuesday, April 18

When: 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Arcola-Tuscola Room

Event: Open Mic Night

Date: Wednesday, April 19

When: 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: 7th Street Underground

Event: Poetry Reading by Bei Dao

Date: Thursday, April 20

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Tarble Arts Center

Event: International Potluck

Date: Friday, April 21

When: 5 to 7 p.m.

Where: Methodist Church

Event: Rec Night

Date: Saturday, April 22

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: Methodist Church

Event: International Picnic: “Free Food and Games”

and AIS executive elections

Date: Sunday, April 23

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: University Apartments