Continuing from last week's article, episode one of the series "Howard University Through The Eyes Of A Nepalese," I shall scrutinize over a few more of my experiences and thoughts as an international student in the United States.
Internationals, assemble!
This is probably amongst one of the unwritten rules of every college/university in America. It doesn't matter where you're from, where your roots are, or how you got to the United States in the first place. If you're a freshman international student here in an American campus, you have only been here for some weeks and are still in the process of creating a friend circle. So if you see anyone who's an international student, you go and talk to them, no question. It just comes automatically. Somehow you just connect. Then you talk about how everything is different around here, how you miss your home, your room, your pet, your bike, your delicious, familiar food mom used to cook at home, or whatever it is you miss. (Yeah, thinking about food, probably should have bought more Ramen from Wal-Mart.)
And it's amazing how people from so many parts of the world can just sit in a group and have so much in common. Maybe it's globalization, the media, and some other things I shall not talk about yet, just to tease my more meticulous readers and make them wait for my articles with more depth, insight, opinions, and analysis. I do not apologize for my previous comment.
Anyway, personally, I have made friends from countries including Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Trinidad, Jamaica, Kenya, and Nigeria. Sure, my friends who are originally from the U.S. (but different states) do have differences, but not as pronounced as the internationals. Alongside differences, there are similarities to connect over. For instance, it's funny how Viets, Bangladeshis, Indians, and Nepalis all share a particular craving for rice. Anyone up for going to the Indian food place near the campus, again?
Sandals and Shorts vs. Jeans and Designer Shoes
I remember the day I woke up out of my deep sleep at 7:55 for an 8 a.m. class. (Happens to everyone one day or the other. So if it hasn't happened to you just yet, be prepared.) In extreme haste, I brushed my teeth, pulled on a T-shirt, khaki pants, and sandals, grabbed my backpack and bolted out of the door like an Olympic runner trying to set a brand new world record. Fortunately, the class was in a very big lecture hall where latecomers could slip by unnoticed.
However, what I noticed in class is that every single one of these students was dressed up as if they were going to attend a mini red carpet event right after class. Well, most of them, at least. Jeans, tailored shirts, designer shoes. As I sat there wearing a tee, khakis, and sandals, looking at the well-groomed and well-dressed populace of Howard University, I could think of only one thing:
What time do these people wake up for an 8 a.m. class?!
The Mysterious Tale of Missing Spoons
Before reading the rest of this article, I shall warn my dear readers that there may be a few traditions in Nepal which the rest of the world may find a little odd or surprising. You have been cautioned.
In Nepal, rice is the king of all food. As a staple crop, we eat rice two to three times a day. And we love it -- well, most of us do. Personally, it has been a relief to me to have a little variety in my diet after coming to the U.S., but most of my Nepalese peers would do anything for a taste of rice. (Again, up for going to the Indian food place near campus after class anyone?)
What everyone finds surprising is that most people in Nepal eat rice using their hand (note: hand not hands.) Don't worry, we wash our hands thoroughly and keep our nails clean as a whistle 24/7. Not all Nepalese use their hands after the days of modernization, but it has been an ongoing tradition. Usually in a household, grandparents and parents eat with their hand while young adults, teenagers, and children are shifting towards using spoons and forks.
There are plentiful incidents worth mentioning, which occurred during the first few weeks at Howard University, one of which includes the reaction I got from telling a Vietnamese girl that we use our hand to eat rice in Nepal.
Her: How do you eat with your hand? Isn't it uncomfortable?
Me: Well. You use chopsticks to eat rice. Isn't that more uncomfortable?
H: No. It isn't. So there are no spoons in Nepal?
M: Wait, what?
H: So do you eat ice cream with your hand as well?
At that point, I shook her hand and congratulated her for asking such a brilliant question.
...
To all those wondering: No, we don't eat ice cream with our hand. We have spoons in Nepal!
Wrapping it up
That's it for today, dear readers. I shall be continuing this series next week, with more details and insight from the Nepali perspective, and maybe just a little less focus on spoons and ice cream.
Stay tuned!
