For any student, having to adjust to a new place and a new lifestyle such as campus life can be challenging, but having to adjust to a new country, its customs, people and overall living environment is a challenge of a different kind.

The University of Tennessee has created many different resources in and around campus to promote diversity and to maintain a "home away from home" feeling for all students.The University of Tennessee has created many different resources in and around campus that are primarily to promote diversity and maintain a "home away from home" feeling for all students. And for international students the International House, or I-House, is that home away from home.

The I-House was created in 1969 as a place for embracing and learning more about other customs, religions, habits and most importantly people. It helps students adjust to classes, teachers and other differences in American customs. There are language tables, movie viewings, friendship programs, dance lessons and many other programs which create respect and understanding between different cultures.

Adjusting an American university, aside from the large campus and missing her home cuisine, has been a pleasant experience for sophomore Dinara Aprymova of Kazakhstan. 

"Americans are so friendly and open-minded," said Aprymova. "I like it a lot!"

She also enjoys the relaxed teaching methods of American professors and the way most teachers try their best to make class interesting. She enjoys the interaction between students and professors in both class and through office hours.

"I would never feel comfortable going to office hours at schools in Kazakhstan," she said. 

Despite the obvious culture shock that will occur, most international students are happy with the decision to come and study in the United States.

"I'm fine with everything, I'm satisfied, and I like it here a lot," Aprymova said.

With helpful centers such as the I-House and through programs that embrace diversity, UT has managed to create a comforting substitute for home, not only for international students but for all students.