A ship in Harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for” – John A. Shedd.
Chasing opportunities, packing one’s dreams and goals in a suitcase that might end up overweight, boarding flights, and saying goodbye to our loved ones- just like that, leaving home and the place that shaped, ready to paint new colors in a different land, in a new home.
Isabela Martinez – Venezuela – Journalism
Q: How different is the U.S. to your country?
A: “When it comes to culture, people are completely different. I am probably still adjusting to it, even though I’ve had the experience of studying in a bilingual school back home, but it was not the same.”
Q: What are the pros and cons living away from home?
A: “Now that I have already one year experience of living in the U.S., I’ve gained a lot of self growth and now I understand what it means to be responsible. I have had to learn things by myself. I remember my first semester, I was so scared to go to the bank to ask for a credit card. They were explaining those things to me and I was like – what’s an accounting, I don’t know what that means. It was so different. However, a pro is the exposure to the real world, and meeting a lot of people from different countries like my best friend from Turkey and from Brazil. That’s the best part of living here, meeting new people.”
“A con is probably that I’m the only Venezuelan student here at TJC. I really wish there were more people from my country that I could go to.”
Q: What do you miss the most?
A: “What I miss the most is my mom’s food, I miss the beach, my friends, my family. Sometimes I do miss feeling like home.”
Advice: “Be patient with yourself. At the beginning it will be hard, but there’s so much beauty in independence and self-growth. Have fun, don’t be close up to explore new things and find your community.”
Masahiro Yashido – Japan – Kinesiology
Q: How different is the U.S. to your country?
A: “Currently, I’m adjusting well, but the first day I got to the U.S. was pretty hard to adjust to the American culture and the way they communicate and also the way they speak. English is my second language, so they speak so fast. There was a lot of struggle but I’m getting better.”
“I used to watch many American movies, and when I got here in Texas, everything was so different from what those movies looked like. Since this is more of a countryside, everything is so far away and a car is always needed.”
Q: What are the pros and cons living away from home?
A: “The pro is that you get to appreciate your home country more. Since you have lived in your home country since you were born, sometimes you take it for granted. And now that I’m away from there, I miss how safe, organized and convenient Japan is, and I thought it was normal. A con is being away from my family, friends and I miss them sometimes.”
Q: What do you miss the most?
A: “Something that I miss the most is Japanese food. I think American food is all junk food, so I need to pick something that is healthier, but it’s so hard. Sometimes, I cook Japanese food with my friends.”
Advice: “Find something that you like and can share with people, like playing soccer and try to keep yourself busy. And don’t worry, everything will be OK.”
Camila Peña – Mexico – Kinesiology
Q: How different is the U.S. to your country?
A: “Adjusting here and not knowing anybody here was really hard, but whenever you have people around, thankfully they were pretty welcoming, and I feel more at home”
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Q: What are the pros and cons living away from home?
A: “The pros would be the water, the heat, the AC. Getting anything here is easier and faster and how much access you have for everything.” Peña said. “The cons is not having my mom close and my family around. Being homesick and not being able to hug her or talk to her about my day. I could call her, but it’s not the same. She is my best friend and not having her physically is very hard. And I miss my friends from home but I know they are very proud of me.”
Q: What do you miss the most?
A:“I miss my grandma’s cooking for sure, my friends, my family. Going around and talk with my friends for many hours”
Advice: “You should never be scared to show where you’re from. It’s very important to remember who you are. You’re here for a reason. I know it can get stressful because you’re alone, but don’t forget why you’re here because that matters.”
Damian Prone – Argentina – Radio/Television Broadcasting
Q: How different is the U.S. to your country?
A: “I can say that the culture is completely different compared to my country as well as the language and food.”
Q: What are the pros and cons living away from home?
A: “Pros of living away from home are the economy and security of living in an environment where I can feel secure. Also, studying in the USA for a degree here is really good since it will give me a lot of opportunities not only here but also everywhere outside of the USA.”
Q: What do you miss the most?
A: “Cons of living away from here are missing my family, friends, food and being in Argentina. I like my country so much.”
Advice: “Enjoy the process and the opportunity of studying abroad, knowing new people from different country.”