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Language Barriers

Culture Shock: Students Break Out of their Hometown Bubble

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Home is far away for many students. Students said many things about how the distinct, coastal Malibu and greater Los Angeles culture came as a shock in contrast to the communities they were raised in. Students said they chose to study at Pepperdine to break out of their hometown bubbles, meet new people with different backgrounds and grow as a person. “I wanted to get … [Read more...] about Culture Shock: Students Break Out of their Hometown Bubble

International Students Return to Campus, Sharing Excitement and Challenges

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Sophomore Pinn Jinkaojai arrives at the airport in Thailand on July 29 to fly to the United States. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Jinkaojai's 2020 visa expired, delaying her move to California. Photo courtesy of Pinn JinkaojaiAs excitement grows for a normal school year to begin, Pepperdine international students are particularly grateful for the return to campus.International … [Read more...] about International Students Return to Campus, Sharing Excitement and Challenges

Abroad in South Korea: Sharing a Space With a Language Barrier

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Art by Leah BaePhotos by Claire LeeBefore I booked my share house, a living space shared by a group of people, I thought about both the challenge of having a language barrier and the opportunity to learn from Korean natives. My experience living in this share house has been more opportunistic than challenging, and it has provided me with more than a place to live and cultural … [Read more...] about Abroad in South Korea: Sharing a Space With a Language Barrier

I Dropped My Toothbrush on a Hostel Bedroom Floor: Lessons I Learned While Traveling Between Semesters

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Art by Peau PorotesanoThere are some moments in life you can’t change; like the time I dropped my toothbrush on the floor of a hostel in Bern, Switzerland. That toothbrush, which I should have burned on the spot, but instead discarded as quickly as possible, is a good metaphor for all the disastrous events and situations I encountered throughout my travels. Before … [Read more...] about I Dropped My Toothbrush on a Hostel Bedroom Floor: Lessons I Learned While Traveling Between Semesters

There Must Be Some Misunderstanding: Why Language Barriers Are Good For You

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Photos by Kelly RodriguezOne of my favorite things about walking around in Shanghai is being surrounded by spoken and written Chinese. Now having studied in China for three semesters, I have become fairly familiar with the language. No longer do I hear locals speak and not understand one word. However, “ting bu dong” — the equivalent of "I did not understand … [Read more...] about There Must Be Some Misunderstanding: Why Language Barriers Are Good For You