Why did you decide to study in the USA?
It is a good opportunity to know about the American culture and practice your English.
Why did you choose Coastal Carolina University?
The biggest reason why I chose Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is its location. It is near by the beach. In China, my hometown is by mountains. Also, when I was studying at my Chinese university before I came to CCU, there were some Coastal professors coming to my Chinese university to introduce Coastal and invited us to choose Coastal. I also asked more questions and knew more details about Coastal. One more reason is that Coastal was good at credit transferring. That is important for me.
What do you like best?
The environment and professors. Firstly, the weather here is better than my hometown. Also, CCU is near the beach. I can hang out there with my friends every weekend.
What do you miss most?
The thing I miss most is probably food, also I miss my friends and family very much.
What was your biggest surprise?
In CCU and in Conway, there is no taxi on the street and everyone has their own car. In China, there is maybe one [car] per family. And Conway’s weather is so comfortable and the sky is so blue.
... your biggest disappointment?
Maybe the food, I don’t like the fast food. So, most time, I just cook by myself.
How have you handled:
... language differences?
I spent a half year learning English before I entered into CCU. In my first semester, I made many American friends. We always played together and hung out ... I must use English to contact with them. They help me a lot.
... finances?
I found a part time job last semester, but most money comes from my family.
... adjusting to a different educational system?
I tried my best to handle the new system, and my classmates and professors helped me a lot.
What are your activities?
I was the vice president of Chinese Club. We often hold some Chinese trip for American student and other international students and we get together to play some Chinese game. We have had lots of fun. Also, sometimes my American friends will invite me to their family or party. It was very different.
How easy or difficult was making friends?
I think it is easy to make friends. Just don’t be shy. Most of Americans are very friendly
How relevant is your U.S. education to your personal goals and to the needs of your country?
I want to work in banking in my future. And I learned a lot differences between China and U.S. regarding finance. It will help me a lot to be banker in the future.
What is your advice to other students who are considering a U.S. education?
Do not be shy. Making more friends means you will get more knowledge and have fun. Do not think your English is bad and be afraid to talk with other people. In U.S., everyone is equal.
Uyen Nguyen, from Vietnam, is majoring in International Relations, Visual Material Culture, and French Transnational Studies at Goucher College in Towson, Maryland 
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