Chapter 23 — Quiz
Try the whole quiz before checking the key.
Multiple choice
1. In the West, friendships at university form mainly through: - A) family and hometown networks - B) shared activities (joining things) - C) waiting passively - D) being in the same class only
2. The #1 social mistake international students make is: - A) joining too many clubs - B) waiting for friendships to form naturally - C) studying too hard - D) using campus resources
3. The loneliness of international student life is: - A) rare and a sign of failure - B) common, normal, and temporary - C) permanent - D) unique to you
4. "Greek life" (US) refers to: - A) Greek language classes - B) fraternities and sororities - C) a study-abroad program in Greece - D) a sports league
5. At a campus party, regarding alcohol: - A) you must drink to fit in - B) you don't have to drink; you can socialize sober and stay safe - C) drinking is mandatory - D) sober students are rare
6. Your first stop for support as an international student is: - A) no one - B) the international student office - C) the library only - D) your home country
7. "Get involved" means: - A) take more classes - B) join clubs/activities - C) get a job - D) move off campus
8. Friendships in the West, compared to inherited-network cultures: - A) form automatically - B) must be actively built, but offer choice/fresh starts - C) are impossible for foreigners - D) require family connections
9. A "students' union" (UK) is: - A) a labor union - B) the student-run hub for clubs, events, and support - C) a political party - D) a dorm
10. A genuine difficulty (Honesty Box) is that: - A) there are no clubs - B) the loneliness is serious and "just join a club" can feel glib mid-struggle - C) friendships form instantly - D) resources don't exist
11. (new) Friendships form best through: - A) attending an event once - B) repeated contact — showing up consistently - C) waiting to be invited - D) only online
12. (new) The "drink or be alone" worry is a: - A) true binary - B) false binary — you can attend sober and much of social life isn't party-based - C) reason to isolate - D) reason to drink
True / False
13. Waiting for friendships to come to you works well in the West. (True / False)
14. You can have a full social life without drinking or partying. (True / False)
15. Using campus counseling/resources is a sign of weakness. (True / False)
16. International student organizations are a good source of instant common ground. (True / False)
17. (new) Going to a club once and not clicking means it's not for you. (True / False)
Short answer
18. Explain the "master key" of Western student social life.
19. Name three concrete ways to address the loneliness of international student life.
20. Why does the inherited-network model of friendship not work automatically in the West?
21. (new) Why does consistency (showing up repeatedly) matter more than attending once?
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Answer Key
- B. 2. B. 3. B. 4. B. 5. B. 6. B. 7. B. 8. B. 9. B. 10. B. 11. B (repeated contact). 12. B (false binary).
- False — it produces isolation; you must join things. 14. True. 15. False — it's smart and the resources exist for you. 16. True. 17. False — friendships need repeated contact; go back several times.
- Model: Friendships form through shared activities — so you build your social life by joining things (clubs, sports, organizations) and showing up consistently, rather than waiting.
- Any three: join activities; connect with international-student/cultural community; reach out proactively (specific plans); use counseling; stay connected to home and build here; give it time.
- Model: In the West (individualism, mobility), people aren't pre-connected through family/hometown ties, so you must actively build your network via activities — connection doesn't arrive ready-made.
- Model: Friendship forms from proximity + repeated interaction; one visit rarely builds a bond, but showing up week after week turns acquaintances into friends — so consistency, not a single try, is what works.