International students choose Westwood hot spots

International students choose Westwood hot spots

By Lisa Marie Weyh

Among the students who roam the streets of Westwood, there are
many with a specific story, a story of why they are in the United
States.

Each year a number of international students come to UCLA to
study. In the midst of making necessary transitions, they look for
refuge at local hang outs. After endless trials of searching,
foreign students said they rated Cowboy Sushi, Johnny Rockets and
Maloney’s as the top three Westwood hot spots.

"Foreign students are looking for a welcoming atmosphere, not
necessarily a place where they can identify with their own
culture," explained Julie Lien, internal president for the
international student’s association.

Although this may be the first time in the states for many
foreign students, the names of common L.A. hang outs are often
quite familiar.

"In Taiwan, the most popular places to go are Friday’s, Sizzler
and Hard Rock Cafe," said freshman art student Anne Wang.

Although numerous American restaurants fill the streets of
Taiwan, it is difficult for some residents to eat there because of
the prices, Wang explained.

"The restaurants are a lot more expensive there than they are in
the States," she added.

However, the high prices are not the only difference in
Taiwanese restaurants.

"Places like Friday’s are very Americanized," Wang said. "When I
walk into the restaurant, it’s like walking into another world.
People go to Friday’s because they want to experience the
States."

Although they are big in number, restaurants are only one type
of venue foreign students resort to when looking to have fun and
relax.

For astrophysics and math student Nao Suzuki, spending time at
jazz clubs is the way to go.

"I love listening to music ­ especially jazz," Suzuki said.
"I didn’t get to go very often in Tokyo because of the cost, but it
is very cheap here and I go all of the time."

In Tokyo, it costs about $100 to go to a jazz club, explained
Suzuki, but here it only costs around $10.

But despite the variety of businesses, local Westwood
restaurants seem to get the most patronage from foreign
students.

"We get a lot of international students, especially from Asian
countries and the Far East," said Johnny Rockets Manager Mark
Cornell.

"The all-American fun atmosphere is what attracts foreign
students to Johnny Rockets," he added. "We have a lot of
regulars."

For second year linguistics and music student Yuko Ishikawa,
Cowboy Sushi is a favorite hang out. "I basically just look for
places that serve good food and Cowboy Sushi is one of them," said
Ishikawa.

The lure of crowded, smoke-filled bars is another appealing
option for foreigners, students said.

"International students come in all of time," explained
third-year biology student Steve Voight, who works as doorman/bar
back at Maloney’s.

In addition to restaurants, movies are a favorite pastime for
international visitors, Lien added.

"Other countries get American movies much later than we do," she
explained. "It is exciting for foreign students to watch a movie
the first day it comes out."

However, the excitement in Westwood does not stop with the
students. Employees said they also benefit from the variety of
patrons.

"I love my job," said Dingli, "I meet the most exciting people
from all over the world, especially students from China, Korea and
Japan."

Carrie-Andrea Koppelman, a senior sociology student and server
at Acapulco’s Restaurant and Cantina sees students from Spain
almost everyday during her shift.

"I’ve made a lot of friends through work," Koppelman explained.
"I have met students that otherwise I would not have. I feel that
international students have so much to offer. I enjoy being exposed
to different ways of life."