Studying abroad – studying and living in another country – is a dream that many people cherish. Perhaps no one will deny that the day we carry a suitcase and fly to a strange sky thousands of miles away from our home, our souls are filled with wonderful dreams.
Columbus State University (CSU) and Columbus, GA is one of the destinations that many international students choose to come and study. CSU has a diverse community and a melting pot of cultures from around the world.
Arisa Kioka, an exchange student from Japan, decided to step out of her comfort zone and study abroad to improve her self-confidence.
“The reason why I decided to come to America is that I wanted to be able to love myself. I’ve always lacked confidence in myself, didn’t have my own opinions, and did the same things as everyone else around me. However, when I was a high school student, I saw on YouTube a girl who is my age [studying] abroad in Australia by herself and taking classes with local students. I was inspired by her. She is the same age as me and is working so hard, so I thought I shouldn’t spend my days repeating the same things without trying new things because I’m afraid of failure. I also wanted to be a person who has my own opinions and can assert them. Therefore, I decided to come to America.”
The decision she made brought her many surprisingly unique experiences, she added.
“I have learned a lot of culture and values at CSU. In Japan, there are still a lot of stereotypes, but in America, everyone gets along well regardless of age, many people are understanding of LGBTQ people, each student has their own opinion, and I think there are many students who want to improve themselves. Also, Japanese people are strict about time and have strict rules at work. On the other hand, in America, I saw the cafeteria workers singing while they worked, and everyone greeted me with nice smiles, and I thought it would be even better if I could spend my time freely like this in Japan. Being able to live my university life in that environment has been a very good experience for me.”
Sarah Grimwood, an exchange student from Oxford, UK and currently studying Art History, has never lived abroad before. She has decided to come to CSU as an opportunity to try something new. She has taken part in many activities on campus and enjoyed her experiences:
“I’ve tried to join in with everything that has been offered from painting in pajamas, to a Residence Life trip to Atlanta Zoo, and taking part in the Day of Service washing down war memorials at the National Infantry Museum in 38 degrees (sorry – 100 degrees Fahrenheit!). I’m swimming a couple of times per week, participating in aqua-Zumba and going to as many concerts, productions and art gallery events downtown as I can possibly fit in. I’ve also joined the Choral Union and, although I’ve sung in choirs for years, I’ve never had any singing lessons, so I’ve taken the opportunity for Prep lessons and I’m loving learning how to sing through a straw!”
Although she’s uncertain about the future after getting the degree as a mature student, Grimwood hopes to return to the workforce and start a new career in the artistic field.
“I have no idea what I want to do when I finish my degree. I’ve already worked for more than 30 years as a Civil Engineer, so I’m not looking for a dream career, but I would love to work in one of the many museums or art galleries in Oxford to build on all the amazing stuff that I’m learning both here and at home.”
Jiane Rabara, a sophomore majoring in accounting, made the decision to attend CSU with the intention of challenging herself and expanding her horizons beyond her comfort zone in the Philippines.
“I wanted to expand my opportunities and get out of my comfort zone. Coming to CSU led me to have good connections with other people. My professors are great, and we enjoy a small class size that allows us to have a one-on-one engagement with professors. CSU is AACSB accredited, thus, it can provide quality education especially in the field of business.”
Rabara also shared her plans to become an accountant and pursue higher education after getting her degree, “I am planning to continue with my master’s degree at a higher ranked institution or an Ivy if I can and I will take the public accounting exam to become a CPA.”
Untold Truths
Studying abroad means taking opportunities for new experience. To many individuals from other countries, pursuing education in the United States holds a significant allure, symbolizing a privileged endeavor and the embodiment of the revered American Dream. However, behind the halo of a brighter future that people want to achieve, the lives of international students far from home hide “miserable” corners that most people don’t know about.
The comforting dishes, the flavors inherent in your mother’s cooking, the familiar snacks at the school canteen every day, vanish from your life once you step off the plane. It’s a sudden void. At the beginning, international students are typically pumped to try new food, to make new friends, and to visit at new pretty places, but as time goes on, those things will disappear and get replaced by something called ‘homesickness.’
Studying abroad means watching your father’s distant wave, your mother’s shadow, through a webcam on a screen. Although the entire world is dark, the space in front of the screen must stay bright, and you must still smile. You try not to leave your parents at home to worry, even though life here is so lonely and stressful that you really want to cry like a child. The only thing that can be done is to brace yourself during video chats back home.
Rabara shares that during her first year studying far from home, it was hard to avoid feeling homesick.
“Personally, I had a hard time adjusting during my freshman year. The first thing you’d feel as an international student is homesickness, there will be times when you are going to miss the food, your family, your friends, and the vibe your home country gives. During my first semester, I was not able to engage with the community that much because I am trying to adapt to the new environment. However, as days go by, things get better.”
Besides homesickness, the language barrier can be a struggle for international students. The city is so large, but the number of fellow international students from your country can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The opportunities to meet are so few that when you hear someone in public speaking your native language, you suddenly feel like tears in your heart.
Kokoa Koizumi, an international student from Japan majoring in Communication, came to America because she wants to learn about diverse cultures in a multi-ethnic country. She aims to teach in an international preschool when she returns to Japan. She admits that the language barrier is a struggle living in a foreign land.
“I felt a language barrier. When talking to a friend at the beginning of this semester, I tried to translate directly from Japanese to English. However, sometimes there are not words which have exactly the same meaning. And I know fewer words in English than in my native language. As a result, I was unable to have deep conversations with my friends. However, lately I have been trying to talk to my friends by expressing what I want to say in simple English and finding synonyms.”
Kioka also shares the same struggle with her compatriot.
“One of my difficulties is the language barrier. My English skills are low, so I can’t express what I want to say. When other students laugh at something the professor says in class, I don’t understand why they’re laughing, so I sometimes feel left out.”
In addition to the language barrier, homesickness makes her experience more challenging.
“Also, I used to eat white rice more often than bread in Japan, so I miss white rice every day. In addition, when I see a beautiful view or eat delicious food, I want to see it with my family, friends, and boyfriend. Then, I feel lonely because I can’t be in the same space as them.”
Study Abroad: Yay or Nay?
Despite challenges and difficulties while studying abroad, these international students agree that it has been a rewarding and meaningful experience for them.
Koizumi wants to share her advice to encourage other students to take your chance to step out of your comfort zone.
“If you are thinking about studying abroad, I highly recommend you make it happens. This is because studying abroad gives you the opportunity to try new things. Studying abroad itself is an experience to leave your home country and experience a new culture, and if you actively participate in school events or local events, you may make friends and discover new talents of your own. If you don’t take action, nothing will start. Let’s dive into the new world!”
Meeting new people, learning new cultures and knowledge, improving self-confidence, and investing in your future dreams, are benefits you could gain if you are considering studying abroad.
