International Student Newsletter

Dear International Students,

Happy Spring Semester! A special welcome to all our new Terriers! We hope everyone is settling into the new semester and creating new connections and finding ways to get engaged on campus.

In the Announcements section of this newsletter, learn more about important events happening across campus in February. As part of the International Student Workshop Series, the Center for Career Development is hosting two in-person events focused on interviewing in the U.S., a great opportunity to learn about the intricacies of the interview process and how to leverage your international experience to answer “difficult” interview questions. Also in February, attend one of BU Study Abroad’ s Money Matters or Study Abroad 101 events and learn about the application process, financial aid, and common question international students have about studying abroad. Lastly, please note the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)’s deadline for Summer 2023 applications is March 2. In the Employment in the U.S. section, meet BU sophomore Wenxuan Li (CAS’24), who reflects on her experience as a content writer at NGO Bakes for Breast Cancer, and shares advice for international students. In Culture Corner, International Student Programming Assistant Doga Sevgi shares her take on the U.S. college life experience, and one experience you shouldn’t miss out on.

We wish everyone a healthy and productive spring semester!

Announcements

Upcoming Events

Employment in the U.S.

Culture Corner

The U.S. College Life Experience

Written by Doga Sevgi, International Student Programming Assistant

College is an experience many students go through in their life; however, as we all heard the saying, no two experiences are the same. Although not the same, years down the line you get to look back on college years and realize similarities with friends’ experiences. There are thousands of colleges and universities across the globe and, as expected, each country’s experience is unique to its own. So comes the question of what to expect for college life in the U.S. as an international student.

We all have a general idea of what to expect in college from our own country and of course the media showcasing the “magical U.S. college experience” but how much of it truly reflects the reality?

One thing you need to take note of is that U.S. colleges emphasize the “we are a family” motto and make it into a reality. Having first-years mandatorily stay in the dorms allows them to socialize with one another and learn to be adults living together. You start spending time with your schoolmates from the moment you wake up to the moment you fall asleep. There are many student organizations that carry school spirit and many more social events where you get to make unforgettable memories alongside your peers. Of course, other universities around the world have a similar motto and social life for students but from my personal experience, no other country embodies being a family like an American school. Whether it’s cheering with the school mascot during the games, watching movies at GSU Plaza, or simply hanging out at the BU Beach, you feel like a part of a whole.

Athletic games are one of the most important and fun events you’ll get to enjoy during the four years you spend at university. Each school has their own main sports event that you wouldn’t want to miss out on. For BU it’s the hockey games where you forget about the coldness of the Agganis Arena and get lost jumping up and down with the people sitting next to you, cheering on our team. Yes, you can watch college sports anywhere in the world but watching a D1 level team at your home with your friends is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

Of course, the academic expectations will be different from other countries, with U.S. education focusing more on projects, essays, and in-person experiences. However, professors, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and even friends will be there to help you adapt to this new way of learning. And in no time, you will become a full-fetched student in an American university knowing all the ins and outs of its academic expectations.

You may not be able to live the U.S. college life you see in movies, with never-ending fun and parties but I can assure you that even when you feel homesick and drowning in schoolwork, there won’t be a moment you feel alone and out of place in your new home – the BU campus. You’ll meet many people from all over the world and get to spend many hours with them. Through the moments shared you’ll form a second family together. Don’t forget there is no one way of experiencing college, so make sure to put yourself out there and enjoy all the U.S. college experience is willing to provide you.

If you have suggestions for an aspect of American culture to feature in the next communication, please contact Kamelia Turcotte at kameliat@bu.edu

The Compass

There are over 250 academic, housing, community, and employment resources currently on the Compass and each issue we will highlight two.