First year of a Brazilian student in the US, with Isabela Ribeiro.
- Ariane
- 19 de jun. de 2020
- 3 min de leitura
Isabela Ribeiro is a Brazilian student of Business administration and financial management, and has finished her Freshman year (first year) of school at Park University, in Missouri. See below how she describes her experience studying abroad for the first time.
How does a typical college day looks like for you?
Isabela: “College days are very diverse. Classes and volleyball practices, which are part of my routine, are not boring at all, and are always pleasurable to go. People there are always very interactive and always invent something different to do. Also, the living with them is really good because although the Americans are cold in interactions (compared to Brazilians), the college people are always helping each other.”
How is your experience studying in the United States for the first time?
Isabela: “It is as if I am living a dream every day and my "I" of 15 years old would be very happy. I always wanted to study abroad, to learn another language and to live a different culture, it's a maturation that I can't even explain.”
Have you ever suffered any kind of prejudice for being new to college / country?
Isabela: “Park University and the students there are very receptive to new students, I never suffered any prejudice within the school and people were always willing to help me in any way. I ended up making friends easily and many of them I keep today, even if only to say hi in the hall.”
Do you think the English language was a barrier for you in terms of interaction with other students or during classes?
Isabela: “My biggest problem with English was the insecurity in having to talk to people in class or when I needed to give my opinion about something. I only understood that this was going to be better when I give the first step and interact with people, because that's the only way I would be able to learn.”
Were your professors and classmates nice to you and were they willing to help?
Isabela: “Every day since I arrived in the US, I have had help from a different person. People are always willing to help you if you want to be helped and look for it. Even if, sometimes, the shame of talking to professors or classmates about your weakness is high, they will be very understandable and will be available to help.”
Are your course materials of easily understood by an international student in his or her first year?
Isabela: “By now I haven't taken many classes on my course, but the ones I took were pretty easy. College classes are kind of divided by difficulty and that helps a lot because until I get to the most difficult ones I have already adapted to the pace of the classes.”
What did you think of your first semester? Did you notice any changes in you between your first and second semester?
Isabela: “I believe the first semester away from home is never easy, I particularly suffered from homesickness, especially when I stayed in the US at the end of the year while everyone was at their homes.
I did have a lot of changes, I matured when I noticed I was by my own and no one could do anything for me...but me. My friends were always on my side, my English improved, even though it wasn't perfect, when I least expected, I was already talking.”
Do you have any tips for future students who will start their first year of college in the US?
Isabela: “Rent college books and see if you really need them because there are professors who don't even use and sometimes you spend money without needing to.”
Ending, Even if it's hard, stay strong, because no one can take from you the things you achieve by your own. – Isabela Ribeiro.
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