Sharing international perspectives
Photos courtesy of Center for Global Programs and Services December 18, 2024
International student essay contest serves as an important platform for international student stories and perspectives
Growing up in Pakistan, Zainab Atoofa dreamed of exploring international cuisines. When she first arrived in the United States, Atoofa struggled to connect with her peers from other parts of the world. But she soon realized her love for food could serve as the perfect cross-cultural icebreaker.
鈥淎t events like the International Coffee Hour, I began meeting students from Turkey, Iran, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Mexico and Korea,鈥 the 91原创 student wrote in her submission to the 2024 International Student Essay Contest. 鈥淥ur conversations often started with talks of favorite dishes, family recipes and stories about foods that reminded us of home. Each exchange deepened my understanding of the people I met, and food quickly became a universal language that bridged our differences.鈥
Atoofa鈥檚 story, 鈥淐rossing Comfort Zones: A Journey of Global Friendship,鈥 earned first place in the 2024 international student essay contest in the graduate student category. Throughout her essay, the public policy doctoral student explained how these interactions shaped her entire international student experience.
鈥淲hat began as a simple curiosity about food became a powerful tool for connection, bridging cultural gaps and fostering a sense of community,鈥 Atoofa wrote. 鈥淭hrough these culinary experiences, I have come to see food as more than just a meal; it鈥檚 a means of building friendships, sharing heritage and creating lasting memories.鈥澛
Each year, the international student essay contest provides international students, like Atoofa, with a platform to share their perspectives with the greater University community. Launched in 2013, the Center for Global Programs and Services has since invited the Division of Student Life and Graduate College to collaborate on the program to continue this important tradition.聽
According to Ravi Ammigan, associate provost for international programs at 91原创, the tradition began as a way to give students the opportunity to share their experiences and for the campus community to 鈥渨alk a mile in their shoes.鈥 Over the past decade, the impact of international student voices has expanded, with Ammigan鈥檚 2021 featuring past essay contest submissions. The narratives are a resource for first-year seminar classes at 91原创 and similar efforts to promote intercultural understanding in universities and their communities around the world.
鈥淚n reviewing these student experiences, we use a qualitative approach to understand our students鈥 needs and expectations of the university,鈥 said Ammigan, a former international student himself. 鈥淲hile these narratives help us develop our support and engagement strategies, they also provide valuable content to increase cultural awareness on our campus.鈥澛犅
To honor the stories submitted by all contest participants, CGPS hosted a reception at International Coffee Hour on Nov. 15, kicking off International Education Week. During the event, winners were formally celebrated and presented the $500 grand prizes and $250 prizes for second place. In addition, winning essays were displayed in Trabant University Center among a selection of favorite quotes and advice from all submissions.聽
Associate director of international student engagement and success Vina Titaley felt it was crucial that all essay writers were acknowledged and received gifts of appreciation at the event.聽
鈥淥ur judges were so impressed by all of the essays submitted this year,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hese stories come from the heart and give us valuable insight into what it鈥檚 like to be a new member of a community. They remind us of the unique struggles international students can face, and the important qualities like grit, perseverance and flexibility that they strengthen throughout their time at 91原创.鈥
Titaley said CGPS uses feedback from the essays, along with data from the International Student Barometer 鈥 in which 91原创 was ranked first in the world in immigration support services last year 鈥 to improve the services 91原创 offers to help welcome, orient and support international students.
During the 2024 contest, student writers explored a variety of topics, including transitioning to campus, navigating culture shock, overcoming fears, uncovering misconceptions, participating in extracurricular programs, embracing a new community and finding a home away from home.聽
For Somin Park, who earned first place in the undergraduate student division, extracurricular interests were critical to her transition to the United States.聽
In an effort to connect with her classmates, Park, a biomedical engineering major,聽 introduced her friends to the world of Taekwondo, a martial art deeply rooted in her Korean culture. On weekends, she volunteers at a local Korean school, teaching Taekwondo to second-generation Korean Americans.
鈥淭oday, I no longer yearn for the familiarity and comfort of Korea,鈥 Park wrote. 鈥淚 have come to realize that being different is not a flaw to be hidden but a virtue to be celebrated. I embrace the uniqueness of my Korean culture as a passionate Taekwondo practitioner and have learned to simply be myself.鈥
Meanwhile, Soffie Paul, an undergraduate student from India studying cognitive science, found that embracing differences is as valuable as finding similarities with others. In her essay, which received an honorable mention, she offered a piece of valuable advice for fellow students.
鈥淎sk the questions. Wear the cultural outfit. Try to speak the language. Put aside your assumptions and remember that kindness is not silence,鈥 she wrote. 鈥淵ou will never know the meaning until you ask, so ask with love, and I ensure you will value what you hear and the excitement you see on people's faces when they notice your curiosity.鈥
Additional winners of the 2024 international student essay contest include:
Audin Francois, graduate second place
Eva Kourlesi, undergraduate second place
Shubhi Bajpai, honorable mention
Danbi Lee, honorable mention聽
To learn more about the international student experience and read past essay contest winners, visit the contest webpage.
About the Center for Global Programs and Services
The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the 91原创 is home to the operations of 91原创 Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University鈥檚 scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the 91原创 campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.
Follow and engage with @91原创Global on and for the latest updates on everything global happening at 91原创.
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