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CENTRAL WELCOMES EXCHANGE STUDENTS THROUGH UGRAD PROGRAM
by Emily Kesel
This fall, Central Methodist University was honored to host four exchange students from all over the world after being chosen as a host school for the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD).
Funded and organized by the U.S. Department of State, the Global UGRAD program sponsors undergraduate students from developing countries for a semester in the United States. Around 120 students in total are chosen from thousands of applicants and brought to small, noncoastal colleges and universities to experience “the true American culture.” Central passed an extensive screening process to be one of the institutions selected, with reviews of the facilities, faculty and staff, and international student services taken into account. Dr. Xiaobin Dai, Central’s director of global engagement, was proud of the University’s selection and happy to add students from four countries previously unrepresented to the demographic chart.
The students – Nirizy Ramirez, Adian Kolcakovic, Serey Roth Hor Heng, and Ksenia Prybylskaya – took some time this semester to tell the Talon how they’ve enjoyed their experience of CMU and the UGRAD program. Their responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Q: How would you describe your experience being part of the UGRAD program and your journey to CMU?
Adian: A very interesting ride. What started off as an activity to waste some time ended up being one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. The World Learning team that administrates this program made both the preparations before and the actual journey itself as comfortable as it can be traveling across the ocean to an entirely new continent.
Serey Roth: The Global UGRAD program has provided me with a very enriching experience so far. Being able to live far away from home and attending classes in a university that is completely different from my lifestyle back home has made me learn a lot and realize how much this whole new experience would impact my life.
Nirizy: My experience so far with the UGRAD program has been wonderful. Central Methodist University has been really great; it is such a welcoming community. People here are open to helping you, and the professors are always willing to get us to understand the classes.
Ksenia: Being a part of the UGRAD program is a unique experience I’m thankful for. I’ve found a lot of friends among participants of the program and CMU students as well. Each of them has a different background that fascinates me. I love listening to their stories about their culture and countries!
What has been your overall impression of CMU this semester? How does it compare to your previous educational experiences?
Serey Roth: If I were to describe CMU in one word, I would choose “fun.” CMU has a very engaging student body that organizes events almost every day of the week. Back home, I never spent a lot of time at my university since there were no extracurricular activities. The events here at CMU have brought the students together and boosted the school spirit –something I do not get to experience back home.
Ksenia: It differs a lot from studying at my home university. Compared to my home university, where all the buildings are located throughout the city, life on campus at CMU feels more engaging. As at my home university we take twice as many academic hours every semester, it takes more time to study. Here I have more free time for extracurricular activities and after-school events.
Nirizy: My first impression was that it would be a strict university, however it turned out to be really calm and easygoing. My previous experiences had been strict and with different rules, from how we dress to our behavior in class. So it has been really nice being in a calm place without pressure that believes we are going to do great without so many rules.
Adian: Very positive. I’ve found it easy to adapt to the atmosphere even if it’s completely different from what I’m used to. Even with the massive cultural differences, a human is a human, and I can work with that. My own university is split into multiple faculties which are not in a singular campus but scattered around the city which I live in, so it’s a much more reserved experience compared to the bustling student life found here on campus.
Q: What do you think of the international community at Central Methodist?
Adian: The Homecoming parade certainly gave me an indication of how diverse the actual community found in Central Methodist is with how many flags I’ve seen. I’ve never met so many people with such different nationalities, so I find it a valuable experience to meet individuals from countries I’ve never talked with before.
Serey Roth: The international community at CMU is very diverse. I had anxiety coming here at first as an international student, but after finding the big pool of international students here, I have felt that everyone is welcome and everyone belongs. The faculty and other international students have been helping me a lot to adjust in this new environment by showing me how things are and sharing their experiences on campus.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about being at CMU and/or about studying abroad in the U.S.?
Ksenia: I enjoy the facilities CMU provides us with – comfortable classrooms, sports center, the library. I love sitting outside doing my homework, especially at the tables near the chapel. And the weather! I love it so far. I enjoy the prolonged warm days staying here. It’s already cold in my country.
Nirizy: I have loved how CMU embraces the tool of technology. Where I come from, we are allowed to use it, but it is not as normalized as it is here; many things still need to be in person. I have also easily played many different sports and learned about them, which is great because I have always wanted to play, but back home it isn’t that easy to learn about them.
Q: What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in this study abroad experience, and how has CMU helped you overcome it?
Adian: The sheer size of the U.S. is a challenge, and with the location of the university, it makes certain endeavors more difficult, such as traveling to bigger shops or participating in unique events. However, a lot of people are friendly enough to the point of offering to drive to the desired location and spend some time together.
Nirizy: Back home isn’t as developed as here, so learning how everything works has been a challenge. However, thanks to the international community of CMU, I was able to understand and adapt to it.
Q: Are you considering trying to return to CMU after your semester with UGRAD is up? If so, what have been the factors that have contributed to that?
Serey Roth: I am considering returning to CMU because of the people that I would surround myself with, the vast opportunities that would be presented to me, and the beautiful environment that I get to study and live in every day.
Nirizy: Yes, I have considered trying to come back to CMU if it’s possible for me. I like how classes are taught and how technology is applied, and I’m interested in the possibility of joining the basketball team.
Adian: I am considering it, however I cannot guarantee it being a successful attempt due to the nature of the program. As for the why, it’s rather simple – I can have all the tools that will allow me to do more and BE more.
