December 11, 2023
Claire Favre, an Exercise Science major from France, and Guilherme Belo, a Plastics Engineering Technology major from Brazil, have found that Shawnee State University’s international student program has given them both the opportunity to play soccer, study, and experience other cultures all at the same time – an opportunity they have both thoroughly enjoyed.
“I think one thing that I’m enjoying here is that, for example, our soccer team has around 20 international students, so it’s nice to get to know so many different cultures and languages,” Belo said.
Favre and Belo have found SSU’s staff and professors to be extremely considerate of the language and culture barriers they may face during their time in the United States.
“The professors understand that our first language is not English, and they are very considerate about that,” said Favre.
The two have also enjoyed the many experiences the international program has given them outside of their studies, agreeing that the SSU coordinators have worked hard to ensure the students are exposed to events both within and outside of the university. Some international students have attended professional soccer games together and traveled throughout the region, even recently to Chicago.
Favre and Belo are grateful for the university’s efforts to make them feel comfortable while they are away from their homes and families.
“Even when we are alone, like over the holidays, we don’t have family, we don’t have anything, so they try to find somewhere for us to stay,” Belo said. As a result, the students have a warm, welcoming environment to share with new friends during the holidays.
The Center for International Programs & Study Abroad at SSU provides students and the community with the opportunity to appreciate different values and cultures around the world. The experiences provided by the center prepare students for the increasingly global nature of society, encourages their understanding of other people, and enables them to contribute to the well-being of the world community. Staff within the center work to help international students fully participate in their college experiences through the promotion of campus services and programming to enhance their social and academic success.
To learn more about the Center for International Programs & Study Abroad at Shawnee State University, visit shawnee.edu/cipsa.