When international teaching assistant Washington Mutatu first came to MSU from Zimbabwe, he was told that most American students were stubborn and didn't behave well in class.

Seven months after arriving in the United States, the chemistry doctoral student said that this "is far from reality."

For international TAs, teaching in the United States can be a scary thing. They suddenly are surrounded by a culture they don't know and a language they usually still are learning.

That's where the International Teaching Assistant Undergraduate Buddy Program comes in.

"Our program helps teaching assistants learn about undergraduate life so they can feel like part of the community and feel more comfortable in the classroom," program coordinator Zeynep Altinsel said.

The program, which began in 1994, pairs about 20 undergraduate students with international TAs who usually are in their first semester at MSU.

Participating undergraduate students usually start out as English tutoring volunteers and then are asked to participate in the program.

Undergraduates and the TAs meet once a week for eight weeks with their group leader, who asks questions and gives advice.

"Some students and TAs stick really closely to the schedule, some do different things like go bowling," Alicia Ratterree, a history junior and undergraduate buddy, said. Ratterree has been involved with the program for a year and a half, and has been a buddy to TAs from China, Korea and Zimbabwe.

The benefits vary for undergraduate students. Those students, such as Ratterree, who studied Chinese while being a buddy to a TA from China, can have a hands-on experience with the language.

"I think it's important to get involved with the international TA buddy program, because when you don't just stick to your friends, you can expand your horizons and learn about the world," Ratterree said.

TAs can learn about American culture, and can receive help with relating to the students in their classes.

One of the cultural differences between international TAs and American students is the level of intensity and focus that is put on academics, group leader Alaknanda Bagchi said.

"In many countries, you only take classes directly related to your major, and you usually don't have a job while you are in school," Bagchi said. "In America, many students have jobs and the classes they take may not be related to their major."

She said that after international TAs learn about these differences, they understand American students better.

Ratterree's current TA buddy, Mutatu, said the meetings are helpful.

"The visits are helping me to understand the American culture, the students and their expectations and their basic way of life," Mutatu said.

Bagchi has been involved with the program since fall 2000, and said that she thinks it's important for the TAs to visit the classes of their undergraduate buddies so they can get a feeling for the atmosphere in other classes.

"Sometimes, the TAs might take student behavior personally, and they believe that they are being disrespected," Bagchi said. "When they go to other classes and see that the behaviors are common, they become more laid-back and calm."

TAs also often struggle with language barriers that can strain the relationship between a TA and a student.

Social work junior Latia Scates said she has had difficulties with TAs because of language problems.

"I took my math classes at Lansing Community College because I had heard it was really hard to understand some of the teaching assistants in the math department," she said.

Ratterree said she doesn't think the program's goal is to get the teaching assistants to be better in English, but to get them more comfortable with the culture.

"All the international teaching assistants I've ever had have been really friendly and competent, they just have thick accents," Ratterree said. "In the program, they become more involved and comfortable with the students."

Ratterree also said that she and her TAs have worked on some language, including American slang so the TAs can understand their students better.

"I've had TAs come back to me and say how comfortable and friendly they feel with their classes now," she said. "Their students come up and talk to them after class now."

Rebecca McNulty can be reached at mcnult13@msu.edu.