A vast majority of students who go on to attend higher education usually pick an institution within the country they live in. According to the Institute of International Education, just over one million of the 20 million higher education students in the U.S. are international students. NSU is no different, with its fair share of international students.
According to the Office of International Affairs, as of 2018, NSU had a total of 1,213 international students spread throughout its undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. Every student has a different reason as to why they left their home country for higher education in the U.S., whether it be to experience the culture or learn something that may not be offered in their own country.
It is overtly apparent that NSU prides itself on being an international university, whether it be through the international events held on campus or simply the diverse student body. Even though NSU has a relatively large population of international students, the students are still considered a minority in the student population and thus have an entirely unique experience when compared to those who were born in the U.S.
Chantal Murrell, a freshman speech-language and communication disorders major, and an international student from Trinidad and Tobago, was able to share her experience as an international student and about her transition into higher education.
“I don’t have the typical experience that everyone else has. Most people are familiar with the culture, norms and traditions,” said Murrell. “Being from Trinidad and Tobago and being put into a culture and environment that I am not familiar with makes me nontraditional.”
Murrell mentioned that, as an international student, she had a more challenging time compared to a national student. On top of all the normal responsibilities of a regular student, an international student uniquely has to put work forward to understand and connect with a potentially brand new environment.
“For me, it was mostly just the adjustment; that was the part that was a little bit challenging because you don’t feel as connected as you want to feel. Sometimes you feel like an outsider. You have to go out of your way to become more submerged in the culture and accustomed to it,” said Murrell.
While adjusting to life in a different country may be difficult for international students, there are support systems in place to assist at NSU. The Office of International Affairs collaborates with faculty and staff to provide support and advisory to any international student that may need it. The office also assists in holding International Education Week at NSU, a series of events allowing both national and international students to embrace their home country and the cultures around them.
There are also less formal systems in place to help international students feel comfortable. For instance, Murrell credits the Razor’s Edge Shark Teach program she is in.
“My Razors’ Edge program did a very good job in making me feel welcomed because we have lots of bonding events… When I came to this school, it was almost like I had a family waiting for me already,” said Murrell.
NSU embraces the differences held by students of diverse cultures, providing a support system to all the students in this circumstance. Next time you meet an international student, get to know them and learn about their unique experience at NSU.
Photo: C. MURRELL
