Another post on international students.

Normally I would ignore the kind of searches that lead people to my blogs.

But someone found my blog by searching "msu chinese go home." (Upon googling that myself, I found that I am on the second page of results.)

Okay, whoever found my blog using that site. I assume that it's also someone who either contributed or likes the racist twitter, MSU's Token Asian. (And you can link that yourself, there's no way that I'm giving that person hits from my blog).

First, go ahead and read my post on rooming with international students. You can replace "rooming" with "living," "going to class with" or "seeing on a daily basis." You don't have to be Chinese-American like me to make friends with international students (I'm going to go ahead and say Chinese students for the rest of the post, just because that's what led someone to my blog, and I have mostly made friends with international Chinese students). I promise. You just have to be a civil human being, willing to reach outside of your comfort zone and make friends of a different culture.

Let me first address a few stereotypes. This article addressed some of them, so I'll just use the ones that they said and put my own ideas on it.

"A Chinese student at Michigan State University finds his car spray-painted, the words reading "Go back home."

I learned about this in my anthropology class last semester. And it just made me so sad and so angry. In class, we assumed that the vandal chose the car because of the brand (it's really no secret that most of the Chinese students drive really nice cars: BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Lexus.) But really? Jealousy doesn't look good on anyone. I really cannot find any other reason for a person to want to ruin a perfectly good car with paint, than because he (or she) was jealous of the car. There's always a yellow Camaro sitting in front of Hubbard and I drool and admire it, but really? Spray-painting it? And honestly, if they spent the time they used concocting a plot to spray paint the foreign cars (in Chinese letters) on studying, they wouldn't need to be vandals. Or jealous.

the pseudonym “haha,” disputed that the Twitter feed (MSU's Token Asian) was hostile -- “you guys confused making fun of [A]sians as being racist when it is not” – and suggested that the reported problems stem from the Asian students’ own self-segregation.  “Asian International students are SO innocent,” haha wrote. “They stick together and are too full of themselves to bother connecting with the non-international students at MSU. When you purposefully, separate yourself from the other students at the University[,] [w]hat do you expect? How about you guys stop being so rude and arrogant to the rest of us and let us talk to you, maybe do some language exchange, go out for coffee... or something!”

 Let's see... how to address this. Okay. Let's say that you (you being used in general, not you the reader... although if you were one of the people who thinks this way, feel free to think of it as YOU) go to France or Spain for a college program because you studied the language in high school, and only one of your friends went with you. You're both about the same proficiency at the language (which, let's face it, can't possibly be that good if you only studied two or three times a week for six years without using it in your daily life). Everyone there, even if they haven't known each other for very long, are fluent, native speakers with different customs than you. Who are you going to talk to?

If you're one of the people who are trying to be friendly and welcoming and get the very most out of a different culture, you'll try to be friends with the native students. But if you're unsure of the language, nervous, shy, then you'll probably try to stick with your friend from home.

It's the same with them. As for the rude and arrogant and "let us talk to you" part of the comment, I semi-addressed this in my other post. I mentioned how I had smiled at an international student who immediately looked away. After being offended for all of two seconds, and then willingly LISTENING to what other international students said, I learned that it was a culture difference. Just go up and talk to them!

There are already so many racist people in the world. I was walking around Holmes Hall a few months ago with a group of my friends (all Asian-American, born and raised in America), and a boy with a group of his friends started doing the "Gangnam style" dance as he passed us. Was this necessary? Did this do anything, other than stroke his ego? We were all so surprised that we didn't say anything to him.

But a month ago or so, my friend and I were walking around Hubbard caf. My friend moved to America from South Korea in 6th grade, so he's fluent in English and everything. He was wearing a shirt with the Paul Frank monkey on it which is really popular with international students, and this American domestic white idiot jock guy started speaking fake "Asian" to him (ching-chong, nee how, konnichiwa. And yes, I know that konnichiwa and ni hao are REAL words in Asian languages, but it's the sentiment behind them that people use that makes the difference) and he turned around and, in pretty good English (he still has an accent) was like "Are you talking to me?!," getting pissed because he'd had a bad day and the guy immediately backed off. So just don't do it. You'll end up being the one who looks like an idiot.

Anyways, I just hope that if you're reading this, then you can think back about your encounters with international students and realize that they're just here for an education, like you. I will mention that of course, there are some people who give international students a bad name. Just as there are some people who give the domestic students a bad name. But is it really necessary to try and "fix" this by vandalizing or insulting? I'm really hoping to be an OCAT aide next year, to be a part of the solution. But there are other ways to fix it. Introduce yourself to an international student, strike up a conversation. Attend programs that the MSU Office of Culture and Academic Transitions puts on (like their brilliant "OUR MSU" signs program.) Go to the MSU International Center's Coffee Hour, or Bridges International, both of which offer language exchange and the chance to talk to international students.

CATA Bus System

It's almost time for a new semester! (I'm seriously counting down the days... Only another week to go and I will be back in my lovely dorm!) That means new classes, new friends, new classmates, new hallmates (I know a few new people will be moving into my hall, at least!).

I'm so excited! But I'll try to focus. Today, I will write about the CATA Bus System, which is the public bus system for Lansing and East Lansing. During the semesters, CATA operates "Spartan Service," which has routes all over campus.

One thing: I had never ridden a public bus before I got on campus (I know, I know). If you're like me, let me teach you how to request a stop on the bus.

Step 1: The bus announces the next stop. Most of the buses do this, but some don't. I once sat on a bus while it went through two routes because it never called out the stop (this was during the first week of classes, when I wasn't familiar with the East Campus Boarding Center at all). If in doubt, just ask the person sitting next to you. Or the bus driver (if they're friendly).

Step 2: Pull the yellow wire. I can't find a picture online. But basically, it's just a long yellow wire pressed against the window that winds around the entire bus. If it's winter and you're trapped in the middle of the bus, politely ask a person sitting down to pull it for you.

Step 3: Try to exit out the back of the bus. This is actually what a sign inside of the bus says. It just keeps the traffic down to a minimum. My biggest pet peeve is when riders are getting off the front of the bus (where people get on the bus), causing everyone outside of the bus to wait. And then the bus driver will just start moving even if you're not seated. 

Also, I opted not to buy a bus pass when I first got on campus because, according to google maps, all of my classes were really close and easily walkable in under ten minutes. Okay, that might be true. I don't know about you, but I'm a really, really slow walker so Google's estimate of five minutes ends up being like fifteen minutes for me. Plus, I get lost easily.

So: If you're new to campus, buy a bus pass. If you're not going to explore campus a little before class starts (I know this semester, there isn't really any time to explore as classes start on Monday the 7th), buy a bus pass. You can always sell it later if you find that you have no trouble getting around campus (lucky you), or that you hate public transportation. (Honestly, I hate public transportation. But I hate walking even more, so I choose the lesser of two evils).

Bus passes!

You can buy them online on CATA's website. Under fixed-route passes, they have a few different options specifically for students. A semester pass for $50, a 10-ride card for $6, and a 31-day pass for $18. (Note: if you're paying the fare with change and you don't have a pass, you have to show your MSU ID and it's 60 cents). I caved on the first day of classes and bought a semester pass at the CATA station, but I'm not sure if they only sell them in August. You can also buy them in Akers Hall. But just order it online and have it sent to your dorm. I plan to for the second semester, as I'm getting to MSU on the 6th (Sunday), so that I can go straight to classes the next day. It's a great value if you rely solely on the bus. Just ride the bus at least 83 times, and it will be worth it. My friend bought the 10-ride card at first because she was riding her bike, so she kept it in her backpack in case it started raining or was too snowy for biking, but then later bought a semester pass because our friend sold it to her for cheap. The 31-day pass is good for the same reason, buying during the snowy/cold period if you don't plan on using the bus often/at all in the good weather.

One thing: TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUS PASS! So many of my friends misplaced their bus pass and I have no clue how. I carried around a Vera Bradley wristlet (not bragging, it's just something I received as an open house gift) and my ID and cards were all shoved in there. Also, if the bus isn't super necessary for you right at the beginning of the semester, if you wait a month or so, usually people will start selling them for $30-40.

Tips for riding the bus:

1) If in doubt, ask the driver! If you don't know if the bus you're riding will take you to Wells Hall (I think only the 30 South/East, 25 North Harrison, and the 39 University Village buses do that) or wherever, just ask the driver. Most of them are nice. Even if they're not, they will begrudgingly answer you. 

2) Thank the driver. It's so rude to just ignore the driver. On-campus, most of the drivers work the same route everyday. So they just might remember you, especially if you're riding the same bus every day/other day. And if you're running late and running to the bus and it's already their takeoff time, they could totally just pull out without waiting for you. Good manners, people!

3) PLEASE DON'T SIT BY ME. I guess this isn't really a tip. But if you see me on the 30/31 bus route, don't sit by me when there are plenty of other seats (with no people next to them!). That is one of the reasons I hate public transportation: I hate sitting by strangers. It doesn't matter if they try to converse with me or not, it's just annoying. 

4) If you're paying (aka not using a pass), please, for everyone's sake, have your money and ID ready. Or if you're using a pass, have your pass ready. Nothing gets everyone aggravated more than waiting for someone to dig through their bag for their ID and sixty cents. Especially if that someone had been standing at the bus stop for a few minutes. Along that same line, unless you can multitask effectively, please don't use your phone when you're getting on. Or on the bus, unless you can talk q-u-i-e-t-l-y. 

Hm... I guess that's all. Other than a quick rundown of the routes! If you're new to campus and trying to plan out your schedule (what bus should I take? Where should I go? When will the bus come?), feel free to e-mail me your class locations and I'll be glad to help you. I spent a lot of time riding the bus around for fun. I know most of the stops on most of the routes, and those that I don't know, I'll find out for you. rakuzen.lee [at] gmail dot com.

Something to know (I'm mostly familiar with the 30/31 bus route because that's what I ride the most). Buses 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 all stop at the CATA station. So if you're on the 30 bus and you need to be on the 33 bus, if you get off at the CATA station then you can wait for the 33 bus to come.

30 bus: There are two buses: one that goes to South Neighborhood, and one that goes to East Neighborhood. Make sure that you look at the writing to make sure that you're not going to East instead of South. Obviously, if you're starting out at East Neighborhood you won't really have this problem. But if you're getting on at the CATA station, then be careful!

31 bus: Goes to Brody Neighborhood and East Neighborhood.

32 bus: Goes to the Commuter Lot. I haven't ridden it before though... Maybe that's what I'll do next semester.

33 bus: West Circle Neighborhood and South Neighborhood.

The 30/31 bus route consists of four buses that do this: Bus 31 Brody-bound starts at East Neighborhood, makes it to the destination of Brody Neighborhood, changes routes to 31 East Neighborhood. When the bus (same bus!) reaches East, it changes to 30 South, then when it reaches South Neighborhood, it changes to 30 East. When it goes back to East, it changes to 31 Brody and starts the route all over again. So be careful! Make sure you get off. This is where I ended up on the bus for over half an hour because it had to cycle through the routes.

More posts coming~! Mostly just general information ones.

`Rakuzen

Home.

This past semester, I've been going home on the weekends for a work obligation. I come home on Friday afternoon and leave on Sunday.

Friday marked the last day of the semester. I will not be at msu for three more weeks.

Right now, my heart is begging to go back. It's silly, none of my friends are there (they're all at home), I have nowhere to stay (the dorms are closed unless you pay a fee).

But in just a semester, I feel like Michigan State is my home. I can't wait to stay for four years.