LIFE LIVING ABROAD: NAVIGATING NEW OCEANS

   

Photo by Renata Viveros with the Ichabod at Washburn University on August, 2021.

October 02, 2023

By Stephanie L. Granada 

    Greetings, my global explorers! Stephie here again, your guide to all the amazing and exciting things about the life abroad. Today, I'm going to present my second post about how is the life of an international student at Washburn University. 

• Becoming captain of your own ship: Autonomy becomes as a part of your life. Living abroad as a student meant a rapid immersion into challenges and responsibilities associated with discipline related to adult roles such as grocery shopping, laundry, payment of bills, etc., especially if you live outside campus.
• Language Barrier: If english is not your first language, it could potentially lead to miscommunications between professors and classmates in classes. That is why Washburn offers the opportunity to learn the language through an Intensive English Program. In my case, I took a Duolingo test, required for the university, to asses my level of english proficiency and determine if I could start my major classes or if I needed english classes. 
• Adaptation to Diversity: Washburn University has a varied population of students from other countries on all continents such as Nepal, Japan, Italy, Bulgaria, Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia, and Africa, with completely different cultures and traditions. International students at Washburn were able to create their organization called ¨ The International Club ¨ with the purpose of that international students can learn and adapt easily to the American culture. Since the club is always holding festivities from different countries, for example, ¨ The Hanabi Festival ¨ that takes place every September 21st, allow Americans to get involve and learn about other cultures outside of theirs.