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As a tolerant and diverse educational institution, Otago welcomes thousands of international students every year. Naturally accommodating and patient though we are, Kiwis sometimes still manage to inadvertently offend visitors of other cultures – usually by way of well-meaning narrow-minded ignorance. While some people deliberately choose to be obtuse, others only need a few pointers to improve their outlook and ultimately change their attitude toward our foreign students.

Familiar New Zealand fare might hit the spot for many of us, but in some cultures our cuisine would be considered quite bland and boring. Because of this, many students prefer to cook and eat food from their home countries – often in common areas around campus. Unfortunately, what seems delicious and flavourful to them sometimes translates as disgusting and offensive to our vanilla senses.

Granted, pigs’ feet stew and bee larvae tacos probably aren’t the most sensible things to microwave in the Link, but to them it tastes like home. Try not to wrinkle your nose, make overt retching motions or barf when exposed to the sight/smell of international food. If you really can’t handle it, hold your breath and smile politely until you’re able to get the hell out of there.

The wide variety of languages and accents we hear daily makes our campus an interesting and colourful place to study. If you’re not totally hopeless, you might even speak one or two of them. If not, don’t worry. You shouldn’t have to bother anyway, right? That said, just because you don’t speak another language doesn’t mean you get to make fun of people who do. Refrain from reflexively imitating funny-sounding words, names or accents out loud – especially when the other person is still within earshot. Some people find this upsetting. Also, don’t speak to international students like they are deaf, stupid or very young just because English isn’t their first language. This can come across as incredibly patronising, and they will notice. Keep in mind that they are studying at university, too. Their English is probably better than yours.

Don’t stereotype or assume things about our international students. Not all Asians are Chinese and Canadians hate being mistaken for Americans (God knows why). The Arabs I know are really lovely, kind people who wouldn’t hurt a fly, much less an airplane. You wouldn’t want to start wearing a kilt just because you’re studying in Scotland – it wouldn’t be comfortable. A woman wearing a burqa isn’t necessarily oppressed or carrying a bomb. Comments and prolonged staring are rarely appreciated. Let them wear their gear in peace. It really doesn’t affect you.

One world, guys.