In a culture that is vastly different from their own, international students are taking advantage of the OU Cousins program, which facilitates relationships between international students and American students.

Students from various countries met together Wednesday evening at the OU Cousins Annual Kick-Off Party and Matching Event at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

“When I first came here [the U.S.], someone introduced me to OU Cousins, which was an opportunity to meet people from other countries,” said Nayoun Kim, second semester exchange student from South Korea.

Kim said this is her last semester at OU and she came to the Kick-Off Party this year as a way to get to know more students, help out if she could and see her OU Cousin.

“I really like my OU Cousin a lot,” Kim said. “We met through OU Cousins last year and now we are the best of friends, I’ll miss her a lot.”

Kaitlin West, history sophomore, said she didn’t get an OU Cousin at the start of last year, but met Kim second semester.

“OU Cousins is flexible because it’s based on how much you and your cousin want to hang out,” West said. “Nayoun and I would do our own thing and attend OU Cousin events together.”

West said they have attended a baseball game, movies, dinners and other OU Cousin events together.

“Last year, I thought it would be a huge time commitment but I really regret not doing it,” international and area studies sophomore Allison Mrasek said.

Mrasek, who attended the event this year, said she is hoping to get to know someone with whom she can speak French with.

Ani Ter-Mkrtchyan, an international student from Armenia, said she is excited to interact with some American students.

“When we arrived in the U.S. we were interacting with each other and not Americans,” Ter-Mkrtchyan said. “This is a great chance to meet students outside of class.”

West said she is on the Cousins’ Advisory Board this year and she said she believes the event went well this year.

“Last year, one of the big problems was that they didn’t know what to expect,” West said. “We still had a ton of people here, but at least it seemed to go smoother.”

West said the registration process was definitely a big change this year as there is now a new online registration system.

“Before, it would take two months to match people and now people should be matched by October,” West said.

Pablo Crespo, second semester exchange student from Bolivia, said this is his first time as an OU Cousin.

“I’m overwhelmed by how many people came here,” Crespo said. “It’s very organized.”

“People are so nice here in Oklahoma,” he said. “When you go to Washington, people are sometimes rude.”

He said the people here have been very helpful to him and are willing to help him with anything he needs.

“I like it a lot here,” said Edson Cafranca, a third-year international student from Angola. “I got the chance to experience a new culture, learn a new language and meet people from all over the world.”