As the controversy over the election of the next president of the United States deepens, international students bring more diverse perspectives to the current election debates.

Because of the confusion, lawsuits, and debate, many believe that the United States has lost a measure of the respect it once had in foreign countries.

"A lot of people were very confident with the United States, and rightly so, but when this happens, it shows that even in a country on top of the world there are flaws that need to be dealt with." said Ricardo E. Jimenez-Kimble '02, a native of Mexico.

Hunter A. Maats '04, who lives in France and went to school in Great Britain, agreed, saying "the United States traditionally felt they had it right, but now they must look and question their system."

Maats said the United States is "too cocky, and must realize that it hasn't perfected democracy."

"The U.S. and its president were seen around the world as great titans, but now their image has been sullied," he said.

"Latin America usually gets a bad rap for having crazy elections," said Jimenez-Kimble, "but now the tables have turned."

"It's a shame, but it may be a good wake-up call," he said.