University Libraries

As more and more international students attend UD, the assimilation of those students has become an important part of the university’s mission. Faculty and staff have many opportunities to interact with the students on an informal basis. Since many of UD’s international students are from China, the Center for International Programs offers brown bag lunches where different aspects of the Chinese culture and the language are discussed. Since China has hundreds of different ethnic groups, it is not possible to learn about them all.

I find these discussions interesting, not only to learn more about the basics of the language, but to discuss the culture of the country. I have also enjoyed the many tips offered in the CIP classes as to pronunciation of names and how to handle the differences in our two cultures. I am mostly interested at the differences in family life. Learning these tips makes it easier to help students when they come to the Knowledge Hub. At the library, we’ve had a number of Chinese student workers, and I have enjoyed discussing different parts of my life here, and their life there. I was lucky to be able to tour China for 3 weeks, and thoroughly enjoyed the country and the people I met there. It is a trip I look forward to repeating.

- Carol Williamson, Research Assistant