Abstract: This project focuses on international TAs and their relationship to the university and the students and asks the following questions: How is the classroom culture different from what the TAs are used to from their countries and how does it affect how they teach? Do these different expectations from both sides create problems between students and the TA? And  what support does ISU give to international TAs  such as mentoring and help with English proficiency? On the basis of participant observation and ten interviews with administrators and TAs  the study discusses the TAs perceptions of American students  with regard to independence  confidence  self-centeredness  informality  and social distance  and looks into the orientation program for international TAs