5 things I wish I knew as an international student

The longing to see the familiar sights of home, to feel the warmth of loved ones and to be surrounded by family is a feeling all too familiar to me as an international student. Although I am more than 5,000 miles away from home, for the time being, I have found a cozy place to call home — a place where I can find those same simple joys by watching squirrels and deer running through the greenery.

Augustana is home to students from 33 countries. It's safe to say that when we first step onto campus, we’re all a mix of anxiousness and excitement, wondering what’s in store and how tough things might be. I want to help you gain a clearer understanding of what to expect, as knowing more makes everything easier to comprehend. So, here are five things I wish I had known as an international student at Augustana:

1. Academic and career endeavors

Let’s first tackle the reason we’re all here — Augustana's amazing academic programs and preparation for the future. Augustana’s Class of 2024 achieved a 99.5% positive outcome rate pursuing further education or gaining experience to strengthen future goals. Safe to say Augustana has a robust preparation system in place for its students. 

But keep in mind that this system works only because the students are equally tenacious and hopeful about what's to come. When you come to Augie, know that you are coming to an institute that will get the best out of you, and you'd better be ready to bring the best out of yourself. Make sure to go to office hours, learn from student tutors and never stop yearning to learn more. 

2. Study abroad opportunities

Though it might sound like a tough task — being abroad and then planning to study abroad — Augustana enables these dreams. Personally, I used my Augie Choice to go to Greece, and the grant made it a no-brainer. On top of the $2,000 that you can get from Augie Choice, there are several other scholarships that you can apply for and get a chance to go abroad without financial strain. Going abroad is just not a travel experience; it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to spend weeks in a completely different environment with a community of active learners and teachers, which is something I can’t recommend enough.  

3. Clubs and associations

Back home, I used to think clubs were just a cover for social gatherings, but at Augie, I discovered they can be so much more meaningful. The warmth I missed from home rushed back to me during the meeting of the Nepal Student Association (NSA). Knowing that I have a student body that caters to my culture and celebration of that culture is truly one of the most wholesome things Augustana has offered me.

Similarly, attending Google Developer Group (GDG) meetings has never been just about chatting with peers in the same field. It’s always about exploring new ideas, sharing how we’re growing in our individual careers and supporting each other. I’ve never left a session without feeling a strong sense of community or having learned something valuable. Be sure to look out for your community, as I assure you that you will find one among the 150-plus clubs around.

4.  Warm connections

When we picture a typical college class, we often imagine a large lecture hall with a professor speaking to a sea of students. But at Augustana, the experience is much more personal and intimate. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, 65.6% of classes have fewer than 20 students. I guarantee you that by the end of the first two weeks of class, you will walk away having a sense of familiarity with the professors and their expectations.

Potentially, as a bonus, you might know the names of a handful of your classmates. When you’re in a small classroom, there is something incredible that happens: your professor will truly understand ways to reach you. They’ll have a meaningful insight into who you are and the kind of support you might need. I can’t even count how many times that kind of understanding helped me not just manage difficult classes, but also actually enjoy them thoroughly.

5. Finding yourself

Even as I write this article, I feel glad that I get to write about my own perspectives and showcase my experiences. Augustana harbors this environment where you can always find something more about yourself.

For instance, I joined the varsity track team, and I never knew that being on a team of excellent athletes would help me push myself to my fullest potential. Having campus jobs that help me polish skills that I will definitely require in the future is quite a proud and reassuring feeling to have.

Your journey at Augustana will be filled with challenges, growth and unexpected joy, and as an international student, you’ll soon find that you're not just studying here, you're building a life, a community and a version of yourself you’ll be proud of.