Make Yourself at Home

Make Yourself at Home

By Mali Korn ’25, Student Government Association (SGA) International Student Representative

Have you ever tried eating with your hands? No? Me neither, until I lived in Uganda for three months and we did not have cutlery. Scooping a mouthful of rice and beans with three fingers was strange to me at first, but with time I was able to eat without feeling like a messy three year old. Who needs a fork when laughing and making new friends? Living abroad can be challenging, but if you engage in something new, you will reap many rewards.

Before coming to Menlo from Germany, my home country, I had quite a few experiences abroad. I was eight years old when my mom and I first traveled to Uganda with the non-profit humanitarian aid organization Tukolere Wamu e.V. As members, we returned every other year, not only to help Ugandans, but also because the Ugandans taught us so much about kindness, generosity, and how to have fun. When I was 15, I went to Chicago as an exchange student, and after high school I worked in Australia as an au pair. I’ve also been back to Uganda as an aid volunteer!

I know how it is to be away from home for a while and I understand that moving to the other side of the world can be hard and challenging. In order to adapt to a new environment and feel at home quickly, here are some of my recommendations:

• Decorate your room and hang up pictures that make you feel good

• Take time to talk to your family and friends at home

• Get familiar with your new neighborhood by going on walks or trying out different shops and restaurants

• Talk to locals or other students and don’t hesitate to start the conversation and ask questions—everyone is in the same boat and just wants to get to know new people

• Do some research on what to do in the area and get familiar with the street names so you are not relying on your phone all the time

Menlo is a good destination for learning about new cultures. We are privileged to go to a very diverse college with over 40 represented countries. That is a great chance to learn about the mindset and the way of life in different countries. If you come from afar, Menlo and its small community is a perfect place for an international adventure. In our small classes, your seatmates quickly become familiar. The welcoming environment and beautiful campus quickly begin to feel like home.

One thing I learned about going to school here at Menlo is that the more you are involved, the better. It opens opportunities, you get to know new skills, and can network with new people. Whether it was the WILD Club, Student Government Association, Internships and Career Services, or the Living Learning Community, the engagement in these organizations all helped me grow. So this is the biggest suggestion I can give every student: get involved and use the time that you are given here at Menlo. I guarantee that you will learn as much about yourself as you do about the campus.