International Students Reflect on their Experiences At BSU
BSU puts a lot of effort into their international exchange programs, and has exchange programs for many different countries. Sally Roche (she/her), an international student from Ireland, came to BSU on a scholarship from the University of Limerick, in Limerick, Ireland. Roche spoke of her experiences saying, “It’s very interesting to get an experience of an American university, especially one that is so open.” Speaking of her transition to BSU, Roche stated, “It’s been pretty smooth for the most part, I know the way people take classes are different here but I’m kind of taking classes in the same way as back home. I’m glad that they accommodated what I needed to do, I had to get a waiver for all of my classes.”
Yamin Khine Nyunt (she/her) an international student from Myanmar, described her favorite experience at BSU saying, “The learning environment, teaching and assessment system, and educational resources and opportunities for students have been my favorite experience from being at BSU.” Nyunt came to BSU after being offered a full scholarship. She came for a one- semester program, and will go back to the Sagaing University of Education in Myanmar when she goes back home. When asked if there was anything she had to do to adjust to the change, Nyunt said, “Yes, I have had to adapt to the educational system in the United States as it focuses on critical thinking, and my country mostly focuses on memorizing and reciting the lessons.”
Coming from Kyung Pook National university in South Korea, Yoonkyeong Lee (she/her) was equally excited to share her favorite things about being at BSU, saying that her favorite thing has been “hanging out with BSU students and connecting with other people. Living in America means I get to meet a lot of different people, and they are very open, and I believe that people are very nice here at BSU. People always try to comfort and be there for each other.” When reflecting on her choice, Lee said that, “choosing BSU made me feel safe”. Lee said that she was one of, if not the only one at her university who chose the year-long exchange program instead of just the one semester program.
