For someone who urges Penn State students to treat international guests at the university with increased respect and hospitality, I very much hope Daniel Moore's rude response (Oct. 9) to my Oct. 1 column isn't an example of the way he "listen[s] to what others have to say."

Seems to me, that Mr. Moore's "bashing" style is exactly the kind of high-horsed American attitude that earns the United States its negative press in developing countries. The kind of pompous, intrusive, "holier than thou" attitude that gives America the reputation that prompted citizens in Karachi, Pakistan, to shout "Death to America" after news of the World Trade Center collapse.

To go abroad or to invite an international student into your home is to act as a diplomat for your country. It's an act that, particularly in these times, couldn't be more important or imbued with more responsibility.

On that note, Mr. Moore and I agree. However, to demean studying in Ireland as five weeks "under the Easy-Bake bulb of Western enlightenment" seems a little uninformed when the Northern Ireland peace process is still somewhat shaky.

In my mind, studying in a country like Ireland, which serves as a hundred-year terrorism laboratory for understanding the current conflict in the Middle East is a very valuable, eye-opening, challenging experience.

In my mind, studying in countries like England serves to perpetuate hard-earned diplomatic relationships.

In my mind, studying in Ghana, China, and Jordan are other important, challenging experiences that require serious consideration and should be encouraged.

The purpose of my light-hearted, humorous column was to encourage students to consider the many international experiences offered through Penn State.

I'm at least glad to hear that Mr. Moore is also interested in diplomatic opportunities, though I feel a little like The Rolling Stones must have felt after Britney Spears did an overbearing rendering of their hit "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction."