Weber State College Comment, April 1985, page 3 Ayatollah’s power affects students, even in U.S. by Craig V. Nelson, WSC News Bureau iriam Tehrani may be States, but the power United in the of the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran still affects her life and makes her very cautious. A freshman at WSC, she said that the Islamic revolution which celebrates its sixth anniversary during February has made life worse for the people of Iran. “I have to be careful because lmaybe they report me to Iran and they will bother my parents,” she said. Ms. Tehrani was 18 years old and living in Tehran at the time of the revolution. She said that she was very active in the revolt that caused the overthrow of the U.S.-supported Rovere of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. She said, “Most of the people wanted a better life. The Shah spent a lot of money for himself. The Ayatollah changed all that,” she said, “but not for the better.” Ms. Tehrani said that in the first year after the revolution things were jgood in her native country and leveryone had the same idea about what should happen to improve the economic conditions. “Now a few people have all the power and they say we have to do what they think,” she said. She said that shortly after the revolution the Ayatollah reintroduced in much never afraid to rejuvenate past ship with an American family vegetarians and to ask. may The not eat student Students from other cultures systems. Questions may also mistaken images of America. “etho-centrism” Students America also will is natural who exchange can be most lrestrictions. A visitor from a Moslen: country such as Iran, Libya, Pakistan, through the WSC International Stu- dent Office. The ESL courses do not give college credit and are not funded through the state. She said that the Iranian government won't allow her parents to send her money so they have to find “another way’ of getting the money to their daughter, Ms. Tehrani said, and instead of paying 80 rials (the Iranian} currency) per dollar the must pay 600 rials for each dollar. She said, ‘It’s really hard (to send money) and if the government found out, my parents go to prison.” Ms. Tehrani’s father was in the government of the Shah, but retired before the revolution. “All of his friends were killed.” She said, “My father has a hard time because he loves Iran and wants all of us to be with him. I would like to go back there. Iran is my home.” to all are critical of tend to be more critical of their own cultures. Anyone who lives in the Ogden-Salt Lake area can be a host family to an in- ternational student. People living out of the area may participate in the home shorter-term stays and makes it a little easier for these students to travel while the cy test or enroll in the English as a Second Language program administered reveal leaders, While college must pass an English proficien- Don’t be hospitality educational and rewarding it is important to be aware that there are many cultural differences and_ religious was refused a U.S. visa. She tried to enter the U.S. from Sweden, but failed and finally returned to Germany where she was successful at getting a student visa. love Americans She said, “We because all of them are human, but we. don’t like the (U.S.) government policies (pertaining to Iran). She added, “Most Americans don't like us. The first time they meet us they don’t have good feelings about us, but they change when they know us. Sometimes I think if I were them I would feel the same.” . country. may tries and become decision makers. As America—and Americans—in the future are bound to be influenced by their experiences here. Ms. Tehrani said that after the revolution the colleges and universities were closed. She was in her third year at a university and wanted to finish her education. She went to Germany, but one Any foreign student who attends the are “personal.” Questions of this type are usually raised by people from cultures with tightly knit family cultures. about talk,” she said. any ask questions that most Americans feel and values of the families of the culture feelings In Iran there is no way to complain without getting thrown in jail, so, old people talk, but young people don’t policy that only allows a maximum of 75 international students to be from concern. within which they reside. their she said. students which falls in line with school will ap- the learning process and your answers can help correct false impressions. Some guests may be critical otf America and Americans. As _ hosts, deal objectively with such criticism.. Most people have a tendency to prefer their own ways. A certain amount of participate are am- Iranian children are confused, because the government teaches principles which fly in the face of those parents would teach. ‘They are all confused about what's right and what's wrong. I'm afraid about the future,” preciate your thoughtfulness and your Except for the movies and their casual observation of Americans on the street and in the classroom, many international students will return home without ever having had the opportunity to experience personally the life “Families who to spy on their eggs. offended by such questions. They aid lbassadors of goodwill for the United States,” said Ms. Price, adding that many of the foreign students here now, especially those from developing coun{tries, will return to their native coun- used about what she says about Iran. Her fellow students might report her and get family, which is still in Iran, into trouble, she said. Weber State has about 40 Irania Egypt, Jordan or Turkey will probably eat any kind of meat except pork. ‘The Hindu from India, Ceylon or Nepal will usually not eat beef. The Brahmin Hindus, in particular, are can create. and Ms. Tehrani said that even though she is in the U.S. she has to be careful friends from around the world If you are in doubt about the eating restrictions of your guest, don’t be or propaganda parents. the same way as American he Home Hospitality and Host family programs, sponsored by the International Student Center at WSC afford families the opportunity to meet and get aquainted with people from all over the world. “This is an excellent opportunity to learn about another culture if you have traveled, are indoctrinated with pro-Ayatollah youth looked at the Vietnam war. “The young people are killed for nothing and they use very young kids, from age 11 to 16. They are told that if “Home Hospitality:” making experiences if you have traveled,” said Kathy Price, director of the center. The Home Hospitality Program aims }, to create friends among American’ families and international students and to end some of the social isolation these students suffer while studying abroad. It also exposes the student to the educational experience that a close relation- they are killed they will go to heaven and they will pay their parents a lot of money,” said Ms. Tehrani. She said that grade school children the traditional garb for women (head cloth, scarf and a long dress) and he put people on the street to watch and make sure women wore the prescribed clothing. “If you don’t wear traditional dress they say you are a terrorist. They have special cars that come pick you up. They don’t ask you (what you've done). Then they come (to the jail) after six months and ask what you did. If they find you did nothing then they turn you loose,” she said. Ms. Tehrani said that almost every family has someone in jail. In fact there are so many in jail that the prisons are full and the government has to use hotels and libraries to house all the prisoners. She said, “I know somebody who was put in a cell with 80 people. There was no room on the floor to sleep. They had to sleep in shifts.” She added, “Especially women have a hard time. They have no rights.” Women can no longer work, (Iran once had many women lawyers) because “they say women can’t make good decisions.” She said that the Iranian government has become extemely unpopular with the youth of that country because of the war with Iraq. They view the war program, they are here. which involves For information } on having an international student in your home, call Sarah Schmidt, Host Family Program coordinator at (801) 626-6853, or write: International Student Office—2907, Weber State College, Ogden UT 84408. The Annual International Student Banquet, held in February, featured international foods and a fashion show in which students wore their native costumes and talked about some of their customs. The woman pictured above demonstrated how women in her African Country carry things on their heads.