Although international students want to dive into American culture, it is easier to stay close to the families. 

"Most international students told me that they want to meet and make friends with as many Americans as they can," said Mark Galloway, Institute for International Studies (IIS) student adviser at prefix = st1 /StateUniversity. 

"But in reality, they are comfortable with being around people from their own country, if possible. " 

Testing of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an admission test for international students enrolling in American universities. Galloway said students' scores decreased when they spend less time with American students. 

More than 450 international students are on campus at MurrayStateUniversity. Thailand, Japan,South Korea,ChinaandGermanyare countries with the most students this semester, according to an IIS report. 

Wichien Eampromate, Thai Student Association President, said poor English ability and cultural differences make it difficult for Thai students to spend time with Americans. 

"We eat different things; we do different kinds of things," said Eampromate. 

On the other hand, Joon-Seong Bae, an exchange student from KoreaUniversity, said he tried to avoid hanging around other Koreans. 

But it is not easy for him. He said he is less comfortable with Americans because he cannot say everything he wants to say, and not all Americans are patient with his limited English. 

"There were two or three Americans and me," Bae said. "We talked about something. As time went by, I was kind of excluded because they talked to each other. 

While international students venture outside their comfort zones, American students also have the opportunity to be exposed to other cultures. 

"I know there are a lot ( of American students) who want to get to know international students," said Philip Lee, senior from Boonville,Indiana. "They are just uncomfortable. " 

Lee said he has learned about life from his international friends, although it is sometimes a challenge. 

" I can't live a comfortable life all the time," Lee said. " I realized there is a great benefit of stepping out of my comfort zone to meet people. "
Who are exchange students most comfortable around?
What does TOEFL stand for?
What is this test for?
Doing what?
Where is Joon-Seong Bae from?
What kind of people did he try to stay away from?
True or False: He feels more at ease around Americans.
Why is it not easy?
How many exchange students go to Murray State?
Do many Japanese student go there?
Many Germans?
Many Koreans?
What about Taiwanese?
What does ISS stand for?
What does Galloway do for ISS?
Who is Wichien Eampromate?
What does he think hinders Thai students when interacting with Americans?
True or False: Joon-Seong Bae considers some Americans to be impatient with new English speakers.
Who became left out of a conversation in Bae's story?
Where is Philip Lee from?
families
families
Testing of English as a Foreign Language
Testing of English as a Foreign Language
for international students
for international students
enrolling in American universities
enrolling in American universities
Korea University
KoreaUniversity
other Koreans
other Koreans
false
not easy
cannot say everything
cannot say everything
450
 450 
yes
Japan
yes
Germany
yes
Korea
not many
most students
Institute for International Studies
Institute for International Studies
advising
adviser
Thai Student Association President
Thai Student Association President
poor English ability
poor English ability
ture
not all Americans are patient
Bae himself
Bae
Boonville
Boonville