More than a week ago, Sow Kadiatou said goodbye to her husband and daughter in Burkina Faso and boarded a plane to come to America.

Kadiatou is one of six African students visiting the University as a part of an African/American studies Youth Exchange Project. The program is sponsored by the University Office of International Programs in conjunction with the United States Information Agency.

Some time and some traveling later, Kadiatou said she is not completely surprised by American culture because she had been well prepared by her studies at the University of Ouagadougou. But she was surprised at both the size of Penn State and the quality of its facilities.

"The important discovery I made here is concerning the library facilities. You can have many books, especially when you are a graduate student, and also you can have a direct access to the books," Kadiatou said. "In my country, you have no direct access to the books, and the books are very limited, especially in American studies because we are a French-speaking country."

English students in Burkina Faso are limited to practicing the language in class, Kadiatou said. In order to keep up her level of proficiency, Kadiatou has been teaching English to high school students over the past year.

All six African students are from French-speaking African nations, including Burkina Faso, Burundi and Senegal. For all the visitors, this was their first trip to the United States.

All the students are English or American studies majors.

Jacqueline Manirakiza studies American culture at the University of Bujumbura in Burundi. She said she was impressed by the variety of nationalities in the country.

"I couldn't find the criteria to characterize an average American," Manirakiza said. "For instance, you have the students. You can meet some who are Japanese, some are black, some are Europeans."

Manirakiza said Americans are generally friendly people, but are also ethnocentric.

"I hate to say it, but I have to because I think this must change if they are to remain a superpower and a cultural influence," she said.

The general impression from the group was that Americans are hardworking, athletic and very friendly.

"The students are very kind here," said Jean Pierre Moudiba, of Burkina Faso. "They seem not to care about anyone, but whenever you address them for help, they always do anything they can to help you."

In the lobby of the Nittany Budget Motel, 1274 N. Atherton St., the students were gathering to check out. They are on the way to the University of Iowa for the next week of the trip. The last stop will be Michigan State University.

As he readied for departure, Aloys Nduwayo of Burundi, smiled and said, "I have a good impression of America. I have learned so much."