ST. GEORGE — International students attending Dixie State University experienced the treats without the tricks of America’s Halloween traditions during a Students Helping English Language Learners tutoring program fourth annual pumpkin-carving party Friday afternoon.
The event, which featured a competition with awards for the scariest, cutest and best overall pumpkin, provides a positive social environment in which Dixie’s international students can interact with their American classmates and be introduced to American traditions and customs.
Jungi Lee, a student from Korea who is in his first year at Dixie, and Coby Johnson, a junior majoring in computer science, attended the event as something fun to do together. Lee, who had carved a pumpkin only one time before Friday’s event, said the tradition is a difficult task that doesn’t always go as planned.
“It’s definitely an uncommon tradition, but the tradition of decorating your house and making it a celebration with the food exists throughout the world,” Lee said.
As part of the Students Helping English Language Learners program, students in the department of education meet with international students once a week to help them with comprehension of their assignments. Tutors help in a variety of ways, from holding conversations with the international students to help with their conversational skills to assisting them with homework.
Resources
- For more information about the program, contact Chizu Matsubara at 435-652-7839 or by email
- Dixie’s international student program website
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