Editor’s Note: This story is part of a continuing series about international student life at colleges and universities across the United States. Please join us over the next several weeks as we bring you stories about international students and the American higher education system as a whole.
 
It did not take long for Louise Rosa Paulsen to recognize that she needed something other than the traditional Danish higher education experience.
Paulsen is from Copenhagen, Denmark. The now 27-year-old started seeking a bachelor’s degree at the University of Copenhagen in 2010.
But right away she felt that she was very different from the other students there. For one thing, she was completely uninterested in the culture of parties and drinking alcohol that was widespread at the school.
So after a year there, Paulsen decide to leave the school and travel for a while. She moved to the United States and completed an internship with the human rights group Amnesty International. Then she moved to London, England to volunteer for the Mormon Church.
Paulsen joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in her teen years, although she had been raised as a member of the Church of Denmark.
In 2014, Paulsen decided to restart her education, but not back home. Instead, she found a school that shared her religious beliefs: Brigham Young University.
Brigham Young University, or BYU for short, is a private, non-profit research university. The school serves about 33,500 students and is located in Provo, Utah, a 45-minute drive south of Salt Lake City, the state capital. Mormons led by Brigham Young founded the city in 1847 and the Mormon Church established BYU 25 years later.
In the end, Paulsen says the relatively low cost of attendance is what interested her the most about studying political science at BYU. But she also liked the idea that she would share similar beliefs with the other students, even though she was from a different country.
And, at the very least, partying would not be an issue. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and even coffee and tea, are all banned on campus because of the Mormon religion bars their use. The school also does not permit members of the opposite sex to enter each other’s bedrooms in on-campus housing. They can only enter the shared areas, and they may not enter each other’s on-campus housing at all during most late night hours.
Utah holds the largest Mormon population in the United States. However, Paulsen says, even though she had joined a familiar community, she still felt a little like an outsider.
"The community is different here in many ways. Mostly here I associate with … people who’ve been Mormons for their whole lives. I have not always been a Mormon, and I’m kind of made to be a minority, I think. … Here a lot of the people are culturally religious. I’m much more faith-based, as well. You kind of have to be, because culturally, Mormonism and Danish-ness does not really match."
Paulsen says she had worried about the possible beliefs she might find among people in Provo. She considers herself open- minded and politically liberal. She had heard that many people in rural America were very conservative.
But she says, the more American students she met, the more friends she made. It did not matter if she disagreed with some people about issues like gun control or immigration, for example. She says almost everyone she met was open to discussing differing opinions respectfully. And some were even willing to change their opinions based on such discussions, she says.
Faris Naffa is a 22-year-old BYU student from Amman, Jordan. During his final year in high school, he decided he wanted to attend a college or university in Europe or the United States.
Around the same time, BYU representatives visited Naffa’s high school. Naffa liked what they said about the school. So, in 2013, he began studies at BYU for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Naffa is not Mormon. But, he says he did not care that he would be part of a small, non-Mormon minority at the school. Naffa grew up Christian in a majority Muslim country, so he is used to being different. Also, he says his parents liked that the school has firm rules governing student behavior.
In time, Naffa says, the school would have a greater effect on him than he could have expected. He was placed in on-campus housing with an American who quickly became his best friend. This friend brought Naffa to meet his family, and before long, they were treating Naffa like one of their own.
But more importantly, Naffa notes, his friend taught him to really enjoy outdoor activities.
Back in Jordan, Naffa says he never was that interested in activities like hiking or skiing. However, Utah is home to five national parks, and is relatively close to three other national parks out-of-state, including the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Utah also has many areas in which to ski.
Naffa says the natural beauty around Provo made the outdoors impossible to resist.
"Going from just doing normal stuff every weekend to doing really extreme, outdoor sport activities has just been a life changing experience for sure. … I definitely feel changed, because I’m not doing what I used to do before coming to college. Now I’m experiencing new things."
Naffa liked these new experiences so much that he ended up staying longer than he had first planned. He also changed fields of study and decided to join a BYU program in accounting. This program let him finish his bachelor’s degree in three years, instead of the usual four. Then he was immediately accepted into a two year BYU master’s degree program in 2016.
He was able to take part thanks to financial support from the school and its international student office.
Louise Rosa Paulsen says she also plans to stay in the United States after receiving her bachelor’s degree. And, she wants to seek a master’s degree beginning this fall at a school on the east coast.
Paulsen says the secret to feeling at home in a strange land is holding on to things that make you remember the place you are from.
"Find ways to have your fun little cultural niches and stay normal and stay sane. Because you will get homesick … but you can find ways to be happy here anyways."
I’m ­Pete Musto. And I’m Lucija Millonig.
 
Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. How do you avoid getting homesick when you are far from home? What do you think would be the most interesting thing about living in an unfamiliar place? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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QUIZ
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Words in This Story
 
bachelor’s degree – n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study
internship – n. a position as a student or recent graduate who works for a period of time at a job in order to get experience
teen(age) – adj. relating to people who are between 13 and 19 years old
campus – n. the area and buildings around a university, college or school
familiar – adj. used to say that something is easy for you to recognize because you have seen, heard, or experienced it many times in the past
associate – v. to be together with another person or group as friends or partners
faith – n. strong belief or trust in someone or something
outdoor – adj. done, used, or located outside a building
hiking – n. to walk a long distance especially for pleasure or exercise
skiing – n. the activity or sport of gliding on a pair of long narrow pieces of wood, metal, or plastic that curve upward slightly in front, are attached to shoes, and are used for gliding over snow
accounting – n. the skill, system, or job of keeping the financial records of a business or person
master’s degree – n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor's degree
niche(s) – n. a job or activity that has the qualities that are right, needed, or appropriate for someone
homesick – adj. sad because you are away from your family and home(2018/06/24 07:03)

Now, Words and Their Stories, a program from VOA Learning English.
Today we talk about a problem we have all faced. It is when you have to make a decision, but the choices you have are not very appealing. In fact, some of those choices are really bad.
We have all had to choose from leftovers that no one else wanted. In other words, we had to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
As you probably know, a barrel is a round, usually wooden container. It has curved sides and flat ends.
Barrels are often found on farms. They are usually strong and good for holding tools. Some makers of alcoholic drinks, such as wine and bourbon, let their products age in oak barrels. Some people say the right wood gives the final product a smoky quality.
Hundreds of years ago, barrels had another -- much more important -- purpose. This was long before the United States became independent. Before then, people often stored preserved food in barrels and then put the barrels in cold rooms. This would keep the food from going bad.
A professor at the University of Connecticut studied this custom. D. M. Kinsman's report is called Meat Preparation and Preservation in Colonial America.
Kinsman writes that many colonial families got through cold winters by keeping their meat supplies in a barrel filled with salted water, or brine. Then they kept the barrel in a cold room.
He added that the salted meat “barrel … and the icy chilliness of winter cold rooms saw many a northern colonial family through what might otherwise have been a disastrous year.”
Over time as people ate from the barrel, the food stored would slowly disappear. Finally, when supplies were nearly gone, hungry people had to take whatever they could find from the bottom of the barrel. This was probably the worst food available.
And this is where the expression "to scrape the bottom of the barrel" comes from.
You can also simply say the “bottom of the barrel.” When you have used up all of the good choices, you have hit the bottom of the barrel. So, hitting the bottom of the barrel means you will probably have to settle for a less desirable option.
You are choosing something simply as a last resort. When nothing else is available or works, we simply choose the last resort.
These are all great ways to describe times when your choices are less than perfect.
Now, let's hear how to use these expressions in a conversation.
Two friends are on vacation. They have gone to a quiet seaside town for a week. However, the clouds are moving in. Let's listen as they discuss their options for some quiet reading time indoors. You can also learn some useful beach terms!
Too bad it's raining.
Well, it's a good thing we spent all day yesterday enjoying the sun and swimming in the ocean.
You're right. I think I'll sit back with a good book.
Good idea. Hey, there are some books on this bookcase.
Perfect. I love how people on vacation leave behind their beach reads. Can you read some of the titles?
Let's see. Would you rather read Love at Low Tide or Sandcastle Romance?
I'm not really in the mood for a romance novel. What else is there?
Hmm. There’s some self-help books: Surviving a Coast-to-Coast Relationship and When it Comes to Love Are You Lost at Sea?
No, thanks.
Romance on the Waves?
Are you serious?!
Okay. As a last resort, you could read The Sexiest Sunburn.
Who thinks of these titles?! There has to be something else other romance novels.
Nope. We are really scraping the bottom of the literary barrel with these choices. We may have to settle on reading some take-out menus.
Oh, I give up! We're on vacation. Hand me Romance on the Waves. If we’ve reached the bottom of the barrel, I might as well enjoy it! What about you?
I wasn’t kidding about reading the take-menus. I’ll find us something good for dinner.
 
And that's Words and Their Stories.
When you listen to our programs, we sure hope you don't feel as if you're scraping the bottom of the barrel.
I'm Anna Matteo.
Do you have a similar expression that means “scraping the bottom of the barrel” in your language? Let us know … in the Comments Section!
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Words in This Story
leftover – n. a thing that remains after something is finished or ended
scrape – v. to remove from a surface by usually repeated strokes of an edged instrument
preserve – v. to prevent (food) from decaying
settle – v. to be content with
last resort – n. something done only if nothing else works : “Asking for more time should be our last resort.”
beach – n. an area covered with sand or small rocks that is next to an ocean or lake
low tide – n. the tide when the water is at its lowest point
sandcastle – n. a small model of a castle or other structure that is made with sand on a beach
romance – n. to have or try to have a romantic relationship with someone
mood – n. an emotional state of mind or feeling
sunburn – v. to burn or discolor by the sun : – n. inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight
take-out – adj. of, relating to, selling, or being food not to be consumed on the premises
menu – n. a list of the foods that may be ordered at a restaurant(2018/06/24 06:58)

 
Lions, tigers and other mammals are staying awake at night to avoid human beings, a new study finds.
Scientists have long known that human activity can lead to changes in nature. Many mammals may move around less or travel to distant places to avoid contact with people. By being awake at night, mammals can also be on guard against possible attackers and spend less time looking for food. 
The latest research found even activities like hiking and camping can frighten animals and cause them to become more active at night. 
Kaitlyn Gaynor of the University of California, Berkeley led the study. She said, "It suggests that animals might be playing it safe around people. We may think that we leave no trace when we're just hiking in the woods, but our mere presence can have lasting consequences."
She and her team of researchers examined 76 other studies involving 62 species on six continents. Among the animals studied were lions in Tanzania, tigers in Nepal, and otters in Brazil. 
Researchers compared how much time those animals were active at night in areas of human activity, such as hunting, hiking and farming. The team found that, on average, human presence caused an increase of about 20 percent in night time activity, even in creatures that usually sleep at night.
Results were published in the journal Science. 
The findings are unusual because no one else has gathered all this information and looked at it in such detail, noted Ana Benitez Lopez of Radboud University in the Netherlands. She examined the research, but was not part of the study. 
Ecologist Marlee Tucker was surprised that any kind of human activity is enough for mammals to see people as a threat. 
"It's a little bit scary," she said.
Tucker works at the Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany. She was not part of the study.
Kaitlyn Gaynor said the change in hours will affect animals that have already have trouble in the darkness. But she said that the changes could also help other animals reduce conflict with people. 
"Humans can do their thing during the day; wildlife can do their thing at night," she said.
Gaynor added, that way, people would be sharing the planet with many other species.
I'm Jonathan Evans.
 
The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.
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Words in This Story
 
mammal– n.  an animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin
vigilant– adj.carefully noticing problems or signs of danger
hike– v.  to walk a long distance, especially for pleasure or exercise
trace – n.a very small amount of something
consequence– n.something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions
species– n.  a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants
scary– adj. causing fear
Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.(2018/06/24 06:55)

 
The FIFA World Cup soccer championship in Russia is the most costly ever held.
Officials say the total cost will be $15 billion.
Close to $3 billion has been spent on 12 new or improved stadiums. At least $8 billion has been spent on infrastructure, including new roads, railroads and airports.
Now, experts question whether there will be a good return for the Russian taxpayer.
Professor Leonid Grigoryev is an economist at the Analytical Center for the Government of the Russian Federation. He offers an unusual answer. He compares the World Cup to a wedding dress.
“On one hand, it’s necessary. It makes everybody happy," Grigoryev told VOA. "The exact economic efficiency definitely cannot be defined in American quarterly financial reports. It’s a long-term story. We still hope to become not only a hockey country, but a football country."
Brazil held the last World Cup in 2014 at an estimated cost of $11 billion. Four years later, the difference is clear to Brazilian football fans in Moscow
“Comparing Brazil with Russia, the infrastructure here is much better than ours,” Marcio Pessoa told VOA, as he walked through Red Square.
Russia’s $15 billion investment is aimed at improving the country’s image, even as it faces sanctions. International restrictions were put in place over Russia’s activities in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Dmitry Oreshkin is a political expert. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to govern as though the sanctions are not important.  “'Despite sanctions, we conduct such a gorgeous World Cup. Despite sanctions we go ahead with the war in Syria’…until the very moment that they start feeling that for all this pleasure, they are paying [for something],” said Oreshkin.
The first to feel the financial difficulty are likely to be the middle-aged people looking forward to retirement.
On opening day of the World Cup last week, the government announced an increase in the pension age, from 60 to 65 for men, and a much bigger jump for women, from 55 to 63.
Eva lives in Moscow. The 62-year-old told VOA that most Russians were not surprised.
She said she believed that officials thought that the championship would ease the effect of the news.
Eva described a joke that people were telling about the increase in the retirement ago.
“‘Yesterday, I had four years until pension age. Today, I have nine years. And they still keep telling us that you can’t get your youth back!’” she said.
Russia said the World Cup is partly a gift for its young people. There is talk of unforgettable memories and new buildings. The World Cup ends on July 15, but its value will be measured in the coming years.
I’m Susan Shand.
 
Henry Ridgewell reported this story for VOA News. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.
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Word in This Story
 
stadium – n. a very large usually roofless building that has a large open area surrounded by many rows of seats and that is used for sports events, concerts
infrastructure – n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly
efficiency – n. the ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time, or energy
sanctions – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country
annexation – n. to add an area or region to a country, state, etc. : to take control of a territory or place
gorgeous – adj. very beautiful or attractive
pension – n. an amount of money that a company or the government pays to a person who is old or sick and no longer works
 (2018/06/24 06:55)

 
A recent study by the Pew Research Center shows nearly 90 percent of Americans believe in God either as described in the Bible, or in some kind of higher power. 
And, in a separate study, more than 500 American Christians provided their thoughts on what they think God looks like. That study was carried out by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Their results were published this month in the journal PLOS One.
In the UNC study, subjects were shown hundreds of different pairs of faces and then asked to choose which one looked more like “the face of God.” The researchers used the responses to create images aimed at reflecting those views.
The study noted that the Christian Bible gives differing descriptions of God. Genesis 1:27 describes man as created in God’s image. But in other places, such as John 4:24, the Bible describes God as a spirit being.
​In addition, many historical artist creations show God as an old, white-bearded Caucasian man. But the UNC study found that, in general, many Christians see God differently than that popular image: younger, more feminine, and less Caucasian.
To understand the range of ideas about God, researchers examined several groups within the American Christian community.
Among the groups were Americans who identified themselves as politically liberal or politically conservative. In the U.S., “liberal” usually relates to using government action to support social and political change. “Conservative” often relates to limiting government regulation and finding private solutions to problems. 
The researchers said liberals saw God as “more feminine, younger, and more loving.” They said conservatives saw God as older, more Caucasian and “more powerful.”
Joshua Conrad Jackson was one of the lead researchers for the study. He said the differences based on political beliefs could have resulted from “the type of societies that liberals and conservatives want.”
He said past research has shown that conservatives generally feel more at ease in a well-ordered society – one that would be best controlled by a powerful God. But liberals, he said, seek a more tolerant society, overseen by a more loving God.
The study also found differences based on people’s age and race.
Younger people pictured a young-looking God, while older Christians imagined an older God. In addition, people who reported being physically attractive also believed in a physically attractive God.
African Americans generally described God as looking African American, while white Americans imaged a Caucasian God.  
Researcher Kurt Gray said the results showed that, in general, people imagined a God that looked similar to themselves. “People often project their beliefs and traits onto others, and our study shows that God’s appearance is no different -- people believe in a God who not only thinks like them, but also looks like them,” he said.
But there was one area where this was not the case. The gender of the respondent did not appear to matter. Researchers observed that men and women both “believed in an equally masculine-looking God.”
I’m Bryan Lynn.
 
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from PLOS One and the Associated Press. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.
We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
 
reflect – v. cause people to think of someone or something in a specified way​
Caucasian – adj. person who has white or pale skin
feminine – adj. showing qualities that people generally think are typical of women
tolerant – adj. willing to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own
attractive – adj. beautiful or pleasant to look at
trait – n. quality making a person or thing different from another
masculine – adj. showing qualities that people generally think are typical of men
 (2018/06/24 06:55)