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Going to college can be a difficult transition for students, but for those leaving their home country to achieve their academic goals, it can seem like a challenge.
International students at Bismarck State College have come from all over the world—whether it be far overseas or across the nearest border. No matter where they’re from, international students go through a specific enrollment process unlike that of national students. At the same time they adapt to a new culture and deal with the longing for friends and family back home.
The International Student Orientation meeting sought to address the questions students might have regarding enrollment in a straightforward and encouraging way. The orientation took place on August 26 and was led by Director of Admissions and Recruitment at BSC, Anne Seidler. The orientation went over some of the key information that students should know.
“Our goal here is to address and expand growth for international students,” Seidler said. “It is important to foster the advising approach, but also knowing how to be efficient in articulating information for compliance. It’s both an individual and group approach.”
The orientation also added background knowledge about North Dakota in order to familiarize students with the state.
There might be a few reasons international students choose BSC. For one student, it is the connection the school has to athletics. Mariana Elias is from Sao Pauolo, Brazil. She throws javelin with the Mystics track and field team. She arrived last semester in the cold of winter, a change from her usual climate.
“I like BSC because I can keep both my studies and athletic career balanced,” she said. “In Brazil, it was difficult to balance the two.”
Elias has plans of transferring to a four-year university in the United States, and although there are many positives, being far from home can be difficult.
“I miss my family back home,” she said. “I do get homesick from time to time.”
Whether it be homesickness or adapting to a new culture, one thing is for sure: for some, going to school across borders is no small feat. But for many international students with their sights set on the future, it might be a little easier.
~ Page 4 of Mystician 86.2 ~
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