The first fall semester at college is often an eye-opening experience for most, but especially for international students. It’s a time of excitement for those who live abroad and now get to experience something very unique – the American fall in Cortland. Rohat Kilic and Damian Schmitz, two German students from the sports university of Cologne, have now gotten a taste of Cortland’s true colors of fall.
For many international students, one of the first things that grabs their attention is the fall scenery. “The leaves, the trees We’ve never seen anything like it,” said Rohat and Damian with their mouth wide open. Coming from a place where fall doesn’t bring colorful changes because of the small portion of forest in Germany, they were amazed by the reds, oranges, and yellows on campus. For someone like them, it’s like stepping into a postcard, while many of us hardly notice it.
But adjusting to life in the U.S. isn’t all about pretty landscapes and looking at trees. For Rohat, the biggest issue has been the notorious Bistro food. “Everything tastes weird,” he said, laughing. “Sometimes I just miss home-cooked meals.” While the two cafeterias have options (Bistro and Neubig), they are not always what international students are used to.
Academically, it’s been a bit of a shock for Damian. He was surprised by how much students are expected to participate in class. “In my country, we don’t speak up as much in class,” he explained. “Here, if you don’t raise your hand, the professors ask you to.” It was a challenge but Damian eventually got used to it.
Despite the challenges, there have been positive surprises, too. Rohat said he’s been pleasantly surprised by how friendly people are. “It’s easy to feel lost when you’re so far from home, but people have been so helpful—whether it’s with school or just figuring out where to buy stuff,” he said. That sense of community is something many didn’t expect but appreciate.
Homesickness is something they all mentioned. Both Rohat and Damian miss their family a lot, and even though they can video chat, it’s not the same. “Holidays like Thanksgiving are hard because everyone else goes home, but we can’t,” they said. Luckily, SUNY Cortland’s international office organizes events to help students feel less isolated during those times, such as a small Friendsgiving gathering for any student who decides to stay on campus.
Despite the homesickness and cultural differences, most students say their first fall in America has been a time of growth. They’ve had to adapt quickly and learn new ways of doing things, which hasn’t always been easy. “It’s been hard, but it’s worth it. I’m learning more about myself and the world,” Damian shared.
As the semester continues and they settle in, they’re realizing that these challenges are just part of the experience. The changing leaves are a reminder that this is a time of transition—for them and their new lives at SUNY Cortland.