Name: Ali Nasser Obaid Al Derei

Prov-106

Observation (1)

International students form a large and vital part of the general George
Mason University community. They contribute to the universitys development not
only in academics but also in other extra-curricular activities. However, they too
have a fair share and challenges they go through during their stay at the university.
It is, therefore, important that their social welfare within and outside the university
premises is understood. This paper explains and gives an analysis of the
observations my group, and I made regarding international students.
On Friday 24th June 2016, I was stationed at the Johnson Center at 12.00 pm where
I made several observations. Being the biggest and arguably the busiest student
center, the Johnson center is a place where many students are found, including
international students. During our observation I noticed a group of international
students in a gathering, each holding a cigarette in his hands and smoking while
having a chat. They looked tired and shaggy with most of them having red-eyes.
From where I was, I could hear what the guys were conversing about. They talked
about how their upcoming final examination was set to be tough especially to those
who had not prepared well. I have been really stressed lately. I think it is because I
have a midterm exam and another final in about 3 weeks. I havent even prepared
for first one, one of them said. However, despite the evident stress in their faces,
they simply laughed about it and appeared to enjoy their smoking.
After exchanging the field notes with my mates, I realized that what I
deduced from my observation was similar to group mates. In trying to figure out
the reason that prompted those young men to smoke, my group mates and I
thought that it was a way to relieve themselves from stress. Maybe it got them high
and for a moment they were plunged in a different world where there is no
academic stress. Despite looking relaxed and enjoying their smoking session, I
could tell that deep within, and from their conversation, the international students
whom I observed were having academic difficulties. Similarly, my group members
also concluded that smoking was probably a stress-relieving method used by some
international students. My group mate Hussein also made his observation at the

same place, although later in the afternoon. He also saw a couple of international
students smoking. The interesting thing about international students, as I observed,
is that the like walking in cliques and being around one another.
In summary, my observations findings show that international students deal with a
lot of pressure, both socially and academically. They struggle to be the rest of the
students. To relieve these pressures, the students engage in habits such as
smoking.
Research Reflection
My observations on the welfare of international students revealed several things as
mentioned in the first paper. The findings suggested that the international students
at GMU have a lot of academic and social pressures that make them pursue habits
such as smoking in an attempt to control these pressures. This second paper
reflects on my research process that I undertook observation.
I chose to carry out my observation in the Johnson Center because it is the busiest
student center in the campus. Additionally, international students like visiting the
center. Moreover, the time of the observation was convenient given that afternoon
school hours have fewer classes going on compared to the morning hours. In fact,
there are many classes around the area so it is the preferred joint for many
students after classes. I also happened to be free at that time. Therefore finding
students at the center at that particular time is a sure thing.
I was not so surprised to see the young men smoking since it is a habit I have
noticed in many young adults. However, the notion that they are doing it to relieve
stress made me feel sorry for them, I wished they could seek other alternative ways
of reducing stress other than smoking. However, being an international student, I
tried to put myself in their shoes and I understood that the pressures that come
with being an international student may overwhelm a person.
I did observe that the guys who were smoking appeared rather shaggy and
probably did not give much attention to their personal hygiene. From this new
observation, I tend to think that smoking is not the only negative habit these young
men were fond of. They were probably addicted to alcohol too. Such thoughts
make me dislike their habits given that in the end, it is their lives that are at stake,
and they will surely live to regret the wasted opportunity they had to make their
lives better.
Finally, if I had to change anything in my next observation, it would be to take
someone else with me so that I he/she can help me in interpreting the
observations. It would be interesting to hear someone elses perceptions regarding
the rampant smoking among students. I would also like to probably visit other sites

such as student hostels and observe the habits of international students living in
those areas. I will also attempt to ask one or two international students concerning
the reasons they engage in smoking. With that, I will have a deeper understanding
of the root of the problem.