Studying abroad is something that many students investigate and consider nowadays. The program offers many great opportunities to students’ academic curriculum: it allows them to learn and practice a new language, enriching their learning process, and better preparing them for future jobs, whatever and wherever they might be.
Suny Cortland offers many different destinations for its students to spend a semester or so abroad. Not only do they offer a program that will take students to different countries, but they also welcome students from different nations to their campus.
As an international student myself, I know how difficult it can be to be away from home and living in an entirely different country. I also know how exciting it is to get to know new people, new places, grow connections, improve a second language and have that experience in your life and curriculum. When talking to other international students, from countries different from mine, I asked them about their experience here at Cortland so far.
When asked about the biggest difference between their countries and the US in general, the answers were the same: the food. “What I definitely had to adapt to is the food culture. Americans tend to eat a lot of meat, fried food and ready-to-eat meals. Moreover, they seem to waste a lot of food. In general, I feel that they not really care about sustainability,” said Emma, an international student from Germany. “Americans don’t cook, they just hit up their meals and that’s it. They don’t seem to actually cook healthy stuff. In Italy we pay more attention to what we eat, and we cook more,” said Nadia, an international student from Italy who has also studied in Germany. Coming from Brazil myself, I can agree that food is the major difference: in Brazil we also cook every day, we eat rice, beans, some type of meat and salad every day – for both lunch and dinner. We eat many vegetables and fruits – fresh fruits, every day. Even the kids. The concept of having oranges already peeled in a container, and heating up macaroni in the microwave and adding powdery cheese to it was shocking to me when I first arrived and learned about it.
The girls also pointed out the concept of pride to Americans: “In the US is very normal to say you’re proud of your country and university. In Italy, and in Germany, we don’t go around saying that we are proud of these things, we don’t have the flags of our country and school everywhere,” said Nadia.
Regarding the differences between the university, they go to in their own country and SUNY Cortland, they both mentioned that Cortland is fun, that there’s always something to do, and that people are very nice. Internation student Emma mentions “I really love to be here. I feel very much home at SUNY Cortland because the university offers so many opportunities to get connected and to have fun. There is a club for everyone and there are so many activities and events to join. It is great. In particular, I like the SLC and the sports facilities.”, Emma continues, “I do a lot of sports, and I can easily continue my training here. It is fascinating how much I can do without needing to pay for it extra. Furthermore, most of the people are very kind. They are so open-minded towards international students and interested in learning more about my culture.”
Once again, I can agree to that: it’s been so nice to have so many things to do on campus. There are so many clubs and events that I never feel like I have nothing to do. The gym and the other facilities are great and serve as a great encouragement to stay healthy and active. It’s been different, but very nice to live this experience of studying in an American university.