Aigul, Kyrgyzstan
Business, Colorado

In what ways did your advising center help you apply and study in the U.S.?
The decision to study abroad was not a hard choice for me because since I was a child I had a dream that later became a goal to study abroad. So, for achieving my goal, a great contribution to my future was made by the Soros Foundation advising center in Kyrgyzstan. They helped me to choose a college according to my preferences and talents. Moreover, they helped me not only in applying to the college, but also in getting a visa and filling out all the documentation that I needed to achieve success. I think that they did their best. Especially I am grateful to an advisor of the Soros Foundation – Kyrgyzstan Advising Center Anara Zulumbekovna.

What particular aspects of your study in the U.S. do you find most rewarding?
Studying in the U.S has changed not only my views of the surrounding world, but has increased my understanding about certain things that helped me to rise one more level in my adult life. For example, now I value more what friendship means. I have met lots of wonderful people here and it is amazing to know their culture, traditions and beliefs. In addition I found it very interesting to live on campus, all the activities that are held in college, and especially the attention that goes to international students. Finally I concluded to myself that my decision to study in America is one of the best and most important decisions I have ever made.

How has your study abroad experience expanded your understanding of the U.S. and Americans?
American colleges and universities are known worldwide for the quality of their programs and high-qualified staff. I am additional proof of this statement. For all this time that I have studied in America I have realized that the best place for getting a bachelor’s is in U.S. The most amazing fact that I have faced here is that any American can never pass you without saying at least “Hi”.

Is your university/college supportive of its international student community?
International students are very welcomed in my college. From the time that I had was picked up by the member of my college I have been always encouraged and supported by our international director and the members of my college. In addition, our administration organizes many cultural parties for international students so that you know every international student by their name. That I think is very important for getting closer with different people with different backgrounds.

How will your experience studying in the U.S. help you reach your career goals?
Since I was a kid I was dreaming to become a business lady some day and travel all around the world solving business problems. So now it is not just a dream; it is a goal, and for realizing my goal, the good foundation I am getting by studying in America where I explore many things I have never even heard about earlier will make a great influence on my future career.

What advice or “survival tips” do you have for students from your country who wish to study in the U.S.?
Keep studying all the time. I have been learning English since I was in the second grade and still two weeks after I arrived in America I could not understand Americans because of their speed and accent. So, the only thing I can advise you to do is study, study and study…

Thiago, Brazil
Microelectronic Engineering, New York

The advising center...
My experience at the advising center had a major impact in my educational pursuits, and I have benefited from valuable advice, resources, and unique opportunities. In addition, the predeparture orientation enabled current students to share their experiences and answer questions from prospective students. I would highly recommend this advising center to anyone considering studying in America.

Understanding the U.S. and Americans…
My experience at the advising center had a major impact in my educational pursuits, and I have benefited from valuable advice, resources, and unique opportunities. In addition, the predeparture orientation enabled current students to share their experiences and answer questions from prospective students. I would highly recommend this advising center to anyone considering studying in America.

Understanding the U.S. and Americans…
My study abroad experience has expanded my understanding of the United States in terms of geography, society, history, and it has improved my grasp of the English language. Americans are pleasant people, and I admire their patriotism. We have things in common, such as my favorite sporting activities and music, which made it easier to adapt.

Survival tips for international students…
Never stop studying English. It makes it easier for you to adapt in the environment, connect with Americans, and enhance your academic potential. Learn how to take lecture notes. Even if your campus has a good computing environment, try to have a computer of your own. You will be able to install your programs and work when the labs are closed. If the International Office offers you an opportunity to have a host family, take it. You never know what may happen, and you could need their help. Good Luck!

Nyasha, Zimbabwe
Chemical Engineering, Minnesota

The advising center...
Choosing a place to go away from home for study is one of the hardest decisions to make. Working with my advising center helped me make one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. It is almost as if they looked at me, saw right through me, and knew exactly what I needed and where I needed to be to realize my dreams.

Educational and cultural experience…
Studying in the United States has changed my perspective on a lot of the world issues. The liberal arts education has challenged me to think critically, to analyze issues from all sides, and to see the bias in my opinions.

Understanding the U.S. and Americans…
There is no such thing as a typical American; just because you have met one does not mean you know them all!

University support of international students…
From the day I sent in my application, to the day that I set foot on campus, right up until now, the international admissions staff have been there every step of the way. I have a host family that picked me up from the airport and helped me settle into my dorm room, and they are very supportive of my endeavors. The international student orientation program was so thorough that by the time it ended I not only knew my way around the campus but also the shopping areas nearby and how to get there!

Career goals…
I always wanted to be at the interface where the business world and the world of science meet, and I believe my liberal arts education here will equip me with not just the skills necessary to work as a chemical engineer, but the skills to better understand the world and make decisions that are based on understanding and appreciation of the world around me.

Survival tips for international students…
The U.S higher education system is unlike any other system that I am aware of, and a liberal arts education is one of the best things you can ever experience in your college career. These are the ‘make’ or ‘break’ stages of your life, and you definitely want to be ‘made’ and not broken. Make your college choice wisely, and you will not be disappointed.

Nikhil, India
Economics, Connecticut

I am a junior at Yale University and am majoring in Economics. The ride so far has been invigorating to say the least. The breadth of disciplines, the emphasis on creativity and the infinitely inspiring intelligence and dedication of the professors, have all made the experience extremely rewarding and enjoyable. And then perhaps the most significant aspect of studies in the U.S.: the incredibly diverse multicultural environment which calls for close interaction and co-operation with different people who dress, eat, speak, think and act differently. And it is this environment that makes the educational process all the more stimulating.

My advising center offered a variety of well-designed services geared towards facilitating the move to the U.S. and making this move easy. Managed by the intelligent, experienced and extremely capable advising center staff, these services include: a well-stocked library for test prepartion, comprehensive information on several universities, counseling, VISA-related assistance, a hugely popular alumni fair (in which several universities and several hundreds of students participate), a pre-departure orientation for students about to leave for the U.S., and so on. The cherry on the cake: the people at the advising center are incredibly warm and approachable - and this, really, makes all the difference.