Imagine stepping out of a familiar world and into an unknown place. Fear is sweating from your forehead, but you’re ready to find adventure. Wonder is seen with wide eyes. Breathing in, you inhale a culture upside down from your own and you marvel over everything you encounter.
Every year students from around the globe travel to the United States to study at different universities and colleges to get an experience of a lifetime, while also earning their degree. SUNY Oswego is among these schools that participate in the international student movement. The Open Doors Data reported a 7.2 percent increase for nationwide student enrollment.
This past year about 60 students were admitted into the program, says international recruitment manager Ryan Lemon. “We get more applications than that, but we can’t admit them all,” Lemon says.
The university is in charge of international student growth on campus and helps Oswego to become more diverse, doubling the size to nearly 215 international students. Not only has it helped SUNY Oswego economically, but also allowed the campus to become more culture-sensitive, he says.
Korea and China are the most predominant students studying in Oswego, while the university also has a mix of other countries such as Germany, France, Brazil and Australia. But there are less students studying abroad for a year and more degree-seeking students where their stay is longer, Lemon says.
Different maps of countries and continents were hung across the walls, and piles of manila folders were spread neatly on his desk with names of numerous international students waiting to be accepted. He refers to himself as a big brother rather than a staff member, creating a bond with each student as an individual instead of looking at him or her as foreign tourists. Lemon has been recruitment manager for almost 13 years helping international students adjust to Oswego.
Walking out of JFK Airport, she instantly noticed the hustle and bustle of the crowded airport. Driving down the streets of Manhattan, she looked up, amazed by the tall buildings that surrounded the busy streets.
“It took me a while to get used to it and feel comfortable talking to people, but the experience of visiting New York City was probably overwhelming,” she said.
When choosing to study overseas, she said that she wanted to come for her degree, but also get the opportunity to see life outside Vietnam. Huynh was attracted to the beautiful Oswego view, especially the famous sunsets by Lake Ontario, and also the number of students that go to the school. She wanted a medium sized campus to get more opportunities to connect with people and experience a full overview of American culture.
Unlike the institutions back home, Huynh appreciates the way education here can make her a well-rounded individual as a student who likes to expand herself in different areas. She saw the different majors that were offered and Oswego became her number one choice.
“Here I have more chances to do what I want,” she said.
In Vietnam, institutions have many schools that students can register for, but they would not be able to take classes outside that specific school. “I like how American universities are set where I can take a variety of classes. I took classes that aren’t related to my major, but I still enjoyed them.
Living on the east side of campus, she didn’t know anybody and felt shy to knock on neighbors’ doors. “One thing I regret is not living in Hart Hall, because I like interacting with people from different cultures,” she says.
Hart Hall, where most international students stay, is located in the center of campus and is connected to Cooper Dining Hall, which accommodates to their eating preferences such as the kimchi for Korean students. Huynh wishes there were more international dishes to allow other students to get a different taste from other cultures. She also feels that it would help students remember home and have an easier transition.
While studying abroad, Huynh says she has observed American culture taking in all that she can. “It can open a student’s mind. Your 20s is the time you can discover yourself, build your personality and probably a career path later,” she says.
Huynh advises for all students to go abroad and break their barriers, communicating with as many people as they can. Using that experience will help students grow as individuals, and have a better understanding of the world.