(U-WIRE) PROVO, Utah — Aisake Vuikadavu, a 25-year-old Brigham Young University communications major from Fiji, trains with the rugby team, travels the world with the Living Legends dance team and takes a full load of classes for a degree in marketing and advertising.

But instead of collapsing at night after an exhausting day, Vuikadavu works the nightshift in the Wilkinson Student Center from 10 p.m to 2 a.m.

"I fall asleep in class sometimes, and I am usually tired, but you get used to it," Vuikadavu said. "Yet, I work here because I enjoy talking to the other international students here. We love to share our stories with one another."

Like many international students, Vuikadavu not only works the nightshift for the social atmosphere, but to have later hours that do not interfere with his schedule.

Umair Munawar, a 21-year-old junior from Pakistan, has similar reasons for working as a supervisor during the nightshift.

"Over 25 countries are represented here," Munawar said. "We teach each other our languages, and talk about our lives and customs from back home. We have all become friends. Everyone learns a little from one another."

Like most of the students working the nightshift, Munawar struggles with balancing school, participating in extracurricular activities and working late-night hours.

"The late hours do affect my grades," Munawar said. "I always feel like sleeping, but the job fits my schedule here and I really love the people."

Other employees on the late shift also enjoy the camaraderie of co-workers.

"You feel like you fit in because nobody fits in," said Sylvia, a sophomore studying anthropology from Germany. "It gets so late, you get to talk and know people so well. It feels like family."

Many international students work the nightshift because the hours accommodate the regulations set for non-citizen students.

"Non-citizen students have to take a full load of classes in order to work on campus," said Nancy Hatch, the student employment center manager. Hatch added that the international students are extremely hard workers, working late night hours so they can go to school and study during the daytime.

"Many of the international students lived in countries with laws prohibiting citizens to work before the age of 18, so this is a good first job experience," said BYU custodial employee Scott Rendberg, a sophomore majoring in construction management. Rendberg said he finds that working in an environment where two-thirds of the employees are international students is a missionary opportunity.

"Many foreign students are attracted to the school by the values of the church, but are not members," Rendberg said. "We get to work with a lot of non-members and teach them about the church. Some of them gain a lot of interest. It is a chance to be a missionary and get paid!"

Munawar is an example of a student Renberg loves to work with. A faithful Muslim, Munawar came to BYU because of similar values within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his own religion. Munawar said he respects the Mormon culture and enjoys life at BYU.

-Jennifer Bigler