Student Experiences

Hyun-Young Choi from South Korea: Studies International Relations and English at the University of Pennsylvania

An interview with Hyun-Young Choi from South Korea. Hyun-Young is a Junior, studying International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania College of General Studies. She spent a summer studying intensive English at Penn's English Language Programs.

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Sébastien Blanc from Switzerland: Studies Intensive English at UCLA Extension's American Language Center

An interview with Sébastien Blanc from Switzerland, who studies at UCLA Extension's American Language Center.

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Noriko Okumura from Japan: Studies English and is a MBA Student at DePaul University

An interview with Noriko Okumura, from Japan, who is studying in Chicago. Noriko is an MBA student at the DePaul University specializing in International Business. She studied in DePaul’s English Language Academy (ELA).

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Jignasa Mehta from India: MBA Student at the University of Findlay

An interview with Jignasa, from Mumbai, who is a candidate for an M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) with concentrations in marketing and finance, from the University of Findlay in Ohio.

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Alaa Alsabbah from Saudi Arabia: Studies English at the ELS Language Center in Portland, Oregon

An interview Alaa Alsabbah from Saudi Arabia, who studies intensive English at ELS Language Center in Portland, Oregon.

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Diorgenes Borges, from Brazil, studied English at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

I chose to study in the USA because the company that I was working had an office in Houston, TX.

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Willy Carvajal, of Costa Rica, is in the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, Majoring in Law at the University of Mississippi

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

When I was an undergraduate student at the University of Costa Rica, I decided to apply for the Global Undergrad Program and to study in the United States for one year. I wanted to improve my English skills, get access to new sources of information and education, and to experience living in the US.

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Qing Qing Li, from China, is taking a Master’s Degree program in Physics at the University of South Dakota

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

Studying abroad has always been a part of my bucket list.

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Hoang Minh Tran from Vietnam: Studying English at the English Language Institute at the College of Charleston (CofC) in Charleston, South Carolina

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

I decided to study in the USA because it was my dream since I was young. I admired the teaching methods of the USA — they are modern and practical. Additionally, my major is Chemistry, so I have to take many exams, and the USA is the best country that offers the most modern tools and practical environment for me to learn more and pass those exams.

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Callista Ziwei Chim, from Malaysia, is studying Economics at Truckee Meadows Community College

My name’s Callista and I’m from Malaysia. Recently, I’ve been admitted to school as an international student in Nevada, USA.

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Natsumi Sasabe from Tokyo, Japan: Majoring in Theatre Arts at SUNY Genesee Community College (GCC)

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

I have been fascinated by musical theatre and dancing. I love to perform in front of an audience and express myself. I was not good at stating my opinion with words, so for me, dancing was my way of communicating with people. During my senior year in high school, I started to think about my next step, and I realized there were only a few universities that offered performing arts program in my country.

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Ziwei Chen is from China, studying both ESL and Interaction Design at UT Austin in Austin, Texas

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

The USA has better foundations for the professional study of Interaction Design and Computer Science fields. Studying in the USA is the best choice for me because I want to continue studying for my master’s degree and learn advanced design methods. Compared to Chinese Universities, the universities here are the frontier of Interaction Design, plus they have more resources and more internship opportunities.

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Asya Ozkizilcik from Turkey studied English in the ESL Program at Rice University and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arkansas

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

My first reason for wanting to come to the USA was to enhance my English skills. I was a Ph.D. student in Turkey, and my English skills were limited when it came to academic reading and writing. I firmly believed that English skills could open many doors in my career. I enrolled in an English program in Turkey, but then I realized that my speaking and listening skills were developing very slowly compared to my grammar skills. Therefore, I decided to go abroad to advance my language skills. At the time, I had friends who were studying in England, Malta, and the USA. After talking to them and doing extensive web research, I decided to come to the USA. First, the USA offers a variety of language schools, so I could choose the option that best fit my budget. Second, in my eyes, the USA is one of the best places to gain comprehensive multidisciplinary academic experience.

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Giulia Sala grew up in Kenya before moving to Milan, Italy, and is currently studying Nursing at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

There was a better opportunity of study here in the States that Italy did not offer me. My circumstances are also different from most International students, my whole family moved to the States so it was a lucky break for me in that sense. We moved to Miami, Florida, but I didn’t like it there.

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How to Tell Your Parents You Want to Study in the USA

Studying abroad is a great opportunity, but it requires a lot of attention and responsibility. Although you have never studied abroad before (this was my case), you can be a successful student at a U.S. university if you prove that you are mature enough. If you follow these tips, I'm sure your parents will support you to fulfill your dream of studying in the United States!

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Yvonn Myren from Trondheim, Norway is majoring in Communication at Santa Barbara City College in Santa Barbra, California

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

I decided to study in the US because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture. Coming from a relatively small city in Norway, I got tired of doing the same routines and following this “expected path of life.”

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Flawerisa End from Indonesia is majoring in Business Administration at Irvine Valley College

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

I decided to study in the USA because it has a very reputable education system.

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Hiroko Fujimori, from Japan, is studying English at the University of Texas, Austin.

I wanted to learn practical English in an English-speaking country. I was especially interested in developing my listening and speaking skills. 

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A Taste of Home

Unfortunately, authentic foreign cuisine can be difficult to find at some American colleges. Campus dining options may be limited to fast-food staples, and ingredients common in some countries may be unavailable in parts of the U.S.

Some campuses, however, put a priority on making international students feel welcome by incorporating recipes from their homelands into the dining-hall menus.

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Alejandra Humpierres Isava from Venezuela is studying English at the University of Texas in Austin.

Why did you decide to study in the USA?

I believe the US offers the best education in Business Analytics, which is the field that I’m pursuing for graduate school. In addition, it is the perfect place for me to develop my skills and expand my horizons.

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