In a New Culture: A Writing Workshop

At Stanford, hundreds of students and scholars arrive each year to immerse themselves in learning and research. Many are from different parts of the world and often bring their families along. The Bechtel International Center at Stanford offers a variety of programs and events to make scholars and their spouses feel welcome and to help them adjust.In 2025, Ingrid Rogers offered a writing course that allowed participants to reflect on their stay in the U.S. while also improving their English language skills by keeping a journal to record their experiences. Over the course of ten sessions, they were invited to write about their impressions, challenges, and joys of living in a new country. They drew cross-cultural comparisons and shared about their personal backgrounds, activities, and hopes for the future.A brief description of the international program at Stanford and the English writing workshop is followed by journal entries from international participants. Read more