On the patio of Einstein Bros.

Bagels in the Memorial Union on Monday evenings, students from China, Japan and Kazakhstan sat together at the same table so they can get to know one another better.

The students are studying English at ASU to hone their language skills before enrolling full time in an American academic institution or simply to improve their English before returning to their home countries.

They’re all participating in ASU’s American English and Culture Program, or AECP, which has been offering intensive English instruction on the Tempe campus since 1974, according to AECP’s Web site.

At the program’s weekly Conversation Corner, about 80 students from around the world show up to practice their English over free coffee, tea and cookies. The students have vastly different backgrounds and motivations but unite for an hour each Monday with their shared desire to learn English and be immersed in American campus life.

At the table, 19-year-old Kasumi Tamari tells the friends she’s made at Conversation Corner that she was flown to America by a program in Japan to improve her English. Tamari, who is part of a homestay program while studying English at ASU, said she wants to join a journalism program back in her home country once she speaks English fluently.

Although she doesn’t like American food, Tamari said her time learning English in America has been worth it, because of the friendly and open relationships between people here.

“In Japan, relationships are too closed,” she said. “In America, you can just say what is or what isn’t.”

There are usually about 200 students representing approximately 60 countries at any given time in the program, according to the AECP Web site.

AECP students are usually housed in residence halls or through a homestay program while at ASU. The program also organizes social outings and trips to help international students acclimate to life in America.

Sipping one of the free Jamba Juice smoothies provided last Monday evening, Edward Yu said he came from Taiwan to ASU in March because of its study environment and the community resource and development doctoral program offered here, which he plans to enroll in after completing his AECP courses.

“I major in sport and recreation, so the environment of Arizona is great for me,” said Yu, 27, who has been studying English for 10 years.

AECP tuition, program fees and travel costs are not payable by ASU scholarships or financial aid, and the program is separate from the International Students Office, which assists international students who are currently pursuing a degree program at ASU. Students in the AECP say the recent budget cuts and proposed tuition surcharge may have a uniquely serious effect on them.

“For international students, it is already expensive to study in the United States in this time because of the economy crisis,” Yu said. “Of course, I don’t think [that] to increase the cost [of tuition] is a good idea.”

But AECP’s greatest payoff to international students may be the cultural experience they receive at ASU, despite the costs.

The student sitting next to Yu was a 24-year-old biotechnology graduate student from Kazahkstan, wearing a name tag on his chest that read, “Hi, my name is ... Yergali.” He and Yu both brought their tennis rackets to Conversation Corner in anticipation of a match later that evening.

Yergali agreed that although he still has trouble understanding native English speakers, he and the friends he’s made after only a month in AECP have already grown to enjoy life in the United States.

At first, it was unusual to live in a new country, he said.
“But we’ve overcome that,” he said. “Now, it’s OK. Everything is OK.”

Reach the reporter at trabens@asu.edu.