This year WC welcomed more than 20 international students. That's quite a mix of cultures to invade campus! From Argentina, Germany, England, Morocco, Korea, China, India, France, Japan, Peru, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey, our I-students come from all over the world. International Student Advisor Kaitlin Thomas, who loves all things international, has been very lucky.
Last Tuesday, all the I-students were invited to the president's house for a farewell reception. It was a painful event for some, but a moment of thanks and memories for others. One thing is for sure, they spent a wonderful time in the United States. You wouldn't believe everything they did in one short year!
They started the year with a crazy orientation week, then spent a day in Annapolis, some Sundays at the beach, and had two international cooking nights, all before fall break! Next came a hilarious Halloween Party, a lot of birthday parties, a weekend in Delaware, another one in Baltimore, a day in St Michaels, an Open Mic Night, an Orioles Game, a day in Hershey Park, a day in Philadelphia, all culminating in a successful Culture Night.
Senior Maria Sciola was really moved at the reception. She thanked all the faculty, staff, international students, and her mentor. Indeed, the mentors play an important role for the international students. We were lucky enough to have people willing to give us a ride, to talk with us, or to simply help us in our daily life in the United States.
Senior Carla Acosta Navarro said, "I learned more about Japan and France than about America." And she is so right. That's the opportunity you have when you live in the I-House. We learned so much about each others' countries and cultures. Our strength lay in the fact that we were a big group. Anywhere we went there were always at least 12 of us!
Sophomore Hind Saadaoui eloquently concluded her speech by saying, "My revolution has really started here!" Senior Sayaka Ishikawa, who was the Japanese teacher's assistant, explained that she had no experience in teaching before coming to WC. That's why she was really scared at first, but she took time to enjoy teaching thanks to the advice and the great job she accomplished with Professor Noriko Narita.
As I was also a teacher's assistant, I have to admit that I was really surprised by the fluency in foreign languages of WC faculty professors. I told everyone at the farewell reception that the first time I saw Professor Pamela Pears I thought she was a native French speaker because of the accuracy of her French. Professor Katherine Maynard also surprised me. She uses words I never use in my daily life!
So many memories and so many friends were made at WC. I can't believe that the year is over. When you are studying abroad, time really does fly! I wish I had a lot of money to visit all my new friends in their respective countries, but fortunately, Facebook exists.
I can only encourage you all to study abroad. First, you will improve your language. Second, you will have a lot of fun. Third, you will make a lot of friends. Fourth, you will learn a lot about a country and a culture. Fifth, you will get a lot of opportunities in your future jobs (thanks to my level in English and my experience as an Elm Staff writer, I may have the opportunity to get a part-time job in a local newspaper!).
This was definitely the best year of my life. I wish I could stay longer at WC. Please welcome the 42 international students who are coming next semester as well as you welcomed us. Don't hesitate to integrate with them, it will open new horizons for you. George, we won't forget you, so please don't forget us!
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