International students may stay in Mount Pleasant for break

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With final exams drawing near, most CMU students look forward to going home to spend time with their families.

However, not all students are fortunate enough to be able to go home for the holidays. Some students, particularly international students, stay in Mount Pleasant over the break.

There are various ways to help students cope over the break, said Stephanie Locke, International Education Office international students coordinator.

Some students’ families come from overseas to spend the holidays with them, and some come to tour the United States. Some students stay at CMU and do research, particularly graduate students, she said.

“When the campus shuts down, it’s a quiet, lonely time,” Locke said.

The International Education Office tries to get the students together, and they also have an International Club. They contact local families to see if they want to help and spend time with the students, she said.

The biggest concern for those staying in Barnes Hall, the only residence hall open over break, is that the dining commons is closed, she said.

Many students take an Isabella County Transportation Commission bus to the grocery store, Locke said.

The Office of International Education is open on an on-call basis over break in case the students have any needs.

Umid Ahmadjanov, Uzbekistan senior, will stay at CMU during Christmas break.

“I miss my family members and the family environment,” he said.

When he is in Mount Pleasant over break, he tries to avoid boredom by watching television and spending time with his friends and host family.

Gary Silker, Counseling Center assistant professor, said students who stay at school over the break are generally on one of two paths.

Some students remain here because of work or academic requirements. These students face loneliness and isolation while their friends are gone, he said.

Others stay at school because they have problems at home they are avoiding by staying. These students can face depression and anxiety even though they are relieved by not dealing with family issues. However, he said, the holidays still do not go well.

Silker recommends trying to build a support system. Students can find a friend at work to talk to and spend time with. They can also communicate with relatives via phone or e-mail.

Another way to overcome loneliness or depression is to volunteer to help someone else, he said.

“Helping other people helps take their minds off of their own issues,” Silker said.

Students can volunteer at the soup kitchen, the Christmas Outreach Program, or other organizations, he said.

If students have severe problems, they should seek counseling, he said. CMU’s Counseling Center is open over break, but is closed from Christmas Day until New Year’s Day. The center can be reached at 774-3381.