Going the distance

This year Georgia College opened its doors to many new students from all over the globe. Through exchange and study abroad programs, the students have found their way to Milledgeville, already creating niches for themselves in their respective areas of study. Though they now make their place at GC, the students still keep a piece of home close to the heart with small mementos and keepsakes.

For several, a scrapbook serves as a reminder. When Pushkin Negandhi, freshman computer science major, came to GC from India, his friends compiled the book of pictures of their times together back home. While he misses his life at home, Neghandi has enjoyed life at GC.

Denista Yotova, junior mass communication major from Bulgaria has a similar story. “I brought my scrapbook because my friends made it for me. They filled it with happy pictures so I will laugh when I look at it, not be sad,” Yotova said.

Yotova continues to say she was very excited to come to GC because she was awarded a scholarship from Bulgarian Young Leaders.

Murasaki Tsuda, sophomore international relations major from Japan, brought her scrapbook as well. “It has pictures of high school and university and it reminds me of my friends and my country,” she said. For Tsuda, it was the international student program that led her to enroll.

Much like Yotova, Lisa Setyon, sophomore mass communication major from France, is also here on scholarship. She chose GC because of the number of French students at the university and the school’s positive reputation. Setyon did not bring a scrapbook, just a picture of her and her best friend. “It reminds me of home and my friends there,” Seyton said.

Finally, Stefania Gozzer, senior mass communication major from Peru, brought a book from home. “It is by a Peruvian writer who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, and the country is very proud of him, so I brought it to read.” While searching for an American college, Gozzer picked GC due to the programs and the weather. “I really like what Georgia College has to offer, and did not want to go to a cold place,” Gozzer said.

Mass communication is a very popular major among the international students because it has a broad spectrum of options. While it is not what they are all studying, it certainly shows something the international students have in common. No matter what they study, they all are a tight-knit community.

Posted by Lauralee Iaquinto on Sep 1 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.