Student Feature: Community and culture: A look into YSU’s international student experience

FEATURE STORY

Story by: Hannah Werle, Journalism major
Video & Photography by: Omar Frazier, Multimedia Communication major

For decades Youngstown State University has welcomed international students onto its campus. In 2016, the University officially created the International Programs Office, which continues to serve as a hub of support for international students that welcomes and transitions them into their YSU journey.

Now, YSU has become a home away from home for many international students from all over the world. These students are making an impact professionally, academically and in the campus community.

Manav Desai, a junior Biology major on the pre-med track, is the president of the International Student Organization, which serves as a community for the many international students at YSU. Desai said he was introduced to the group during IPO’s orientation.

“IPO, they knew we were coming here for the first time and that we needed to be oriented to the University, where we were. So, we had to go through an extensive orientation to get to know the city, the transportation, and how and where to shop,” Desai said. “There, I got to network with so many of my fellow international students and many of the international orientation leaders were part of the ISO.”

Now, Desai’s story has come full circle, as both the president of the ISO and an international orientation leader.

Another organization Desai is a part of is the Pakistan-India Student Association, which is one of the ways he stays connected with his culture.

He explained that he joined the group after trying to organize an event for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Doing work like organizing the festival, Desai said, is how he stays connected.

“It’s through the work that I do — the desire I have is to make this place feel more like home,” Desai said. “I try to indulge everyone around me — the values and the traditions that have been brought with them. So the events that I do are usually for something that is very meaningful to a lot of the students like me, and that kind of gives them a feeling of home.”

Another member of the ISO who found community at YSU is Kadijatu Jalloh, a senior graduating with a major in Biology and a double minor in Chemistry and Psychology from Sierra Leone.

Jalloh said starting at YSU was difficult for her because she felt separated from her home and family. In her second semester, she decided to branch out and start getting more involved in campus activities, especially IPO’s programs.

“I started talking to more people, I met new people and made connections with friends and professors. So now, it's been pretty great. It’s been fun and I love being here,” Jalloh said. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Jalloh said by branching out she was able to improve her communication skills and develop long-lasting friendships. In addition to the friendships she formed, Jalloh also made connections with her professors.

“I learned that my professors are always open to helping me, so I started going to office hours and that opened things up for me and allowed me to grow.” Jalloh said.

Jalloh said opening up to professors allowed her to start doing research, which was something she has always wanted to do.

“I’ve learned a lot. I didn’t think I was ever going to be able to do what I’m doing today, so I’m very proud,” Jalloh said.

Krish Patel, a junior Business Administration major from India, has also formed lasting relationships with the people he’s met at YSU.

He said finding a community at YSU helped him through all the exciting and challenging parts of moving to a new country.

“Being an international student at YSU, it's both exciting and a learning experience. When I first started, everything felt new — it was a new culture, new friends, new food — but the YSU community made the transition very smooth, and that’s all thanks to the YSU faculty, YSU community and all my friends,” Patel said.

Patel named several organizations and experiences that helped him through the process of moving here and transitioning into American culture.

“YSU provided me with the best resources to adjust to the US, and not only the US, but also to YSU. So many people helped me,” Patel said. “IPO helped me through the immigration paperwork. The Student Investment Fund helped me understand American Culture.”

Patel still has time to stay connected with his family and culture. He said he makes daily video calls to his family, especially to help his brother with schooling. Patel also makes Indian meals and celebrates Indian holidays with fellow international students.

“These things don’t just make me happy, they keep me grounded and make YSU feel like home,” Patel said.

For each of these students, the community at YSU was instrumental to their adjustment to college and life in the U.S. Each student echoed an unwavering sense of support from the students, faculty and staff at YSU, which gave them the confidence to pursue all the amazing opportunities they’ve found here.