Nyasha Kanganga (center) stands with Norah Hoff (left), Associate Director of International Programs and Services at the College of St. Catherine and Aimee Thostenson (right), Associate Director for International Admissions. Photo Courtesy of Nyasha Kanganga

Choosing a place to go away from home for study is one of the hardest decisions you will ever have to make. We all look for the one place in the world where we will not be too homesick or too lonely—in essence, the one place that is as close as can be to being perfect. Working with my advising center helped me with one of the best decisions I have ever made: coming to the College of St. Catherine in Minnesota. It is almost like they looked at me and knew exactly what I needed and where I needed to be so that I could realize my dreams.

America is a great place to be and much better in real life than seen on television or the movies.

Americans are all different—I believe there is no such thing as a typical American. Just because you have met one does not mean you know them all! American people in Minnesota are very accepting of different people and cultures and value cultural diversity. There is no pressure to be like everyone else because people like you as you are, and I am very grateful for that.

Studying in the United States has changed my perspective on a lot of world issues. The liberal arts education that I have received thus far has challenged me to think critically, to analyze issues from all sides, and to see the bias in my own opinions. I have learned that if I can think positively, my accomplishments will grow and that you can achieve anything that you set your mind and heart on.

I intend to earn a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and help place the Zimbabwean chemistry industry on the map.

The support given by the international admissions staff here at the college is commendable. They have been there every step of the way. I was provided with a host family who picked me up from the airport, helped me to settle into my dorm room, and are very supportive of my endeavors. The orientation program specifically designed for international students 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!

During my first semester, I volunteered to be the master of ceremonies for Africa Night, an annual campus event which gives African students a chance to share with the college community experiences about life in Africa. As you can imagine, speaking in front of 300 people was a nerve-wracking experience for me, but it was also an icebreaker. I was voted vice-president of the St. Catherine's International Students Organization for the upcoming college year, and I am very excited.

I am also going to be a resident adviser in a dormitory during the fall semester. I believe this will give me a greater understanding and appreciation of other people's experiences of college life, and will also enable me to give back to the "St. Kate's" community what I got when I arrived here: a warm welcome.

To students who wish to study in the United States, I want to say that this is a decision that you will never regret. The U.S. college system is unlike any other system in the world, and their liberal arts education is one of the best things you can ever experience.