SDSU Welcomes Diverse Class of International Freshmen

“It's magic. I love the environment, and the people here have been very welcoming. This is a completely new world for me.”

The 9,000 miles between Bangalore, India, and San Diego can make for a particularly grueling travel experience. But for Tarun Reddy, the toughest part of his journey came before he even boarded the plane.

“It was hard to leave my family,” said Reddy, a freshman business major at San Diego State University. “My mom and I are very connected. If I were to go back home she would probably still be feeding me. But she told me, at some point, you have to let go to grow.”

So it goes for the hundreds of new international students who arrived at SDSU this week to attend immigration check-in and international student orientation at the International Student Center. All have taken the courageous step to say goodbye to their loved ones and comfort zones to attend college in the United States—a country many of them had never visited before arriving recently, suitcases in tow.

It’s a time for culture shock mixed with anticipation of new possibilities and new experiences.

“I want to make a lot of friends,” Reddy said. “That’s what I’m most excited about.”

A diverse group

Noah Hansen, director of the International Student Center, said that seeing the sea of new faces at international student orientation is one of the most gratifying aspects of his job. That’s been particularly true with this incoming class.

“I love the diversity,” said Hansen. “We did a country roll call during our orientation, and we called so many countries where there were one or two students who raised their hands. They were fired up and excited.”

While numbers are not yet final, this year’s incoming class is expected to total about 300 international students from more than 40 countries. Kuwait, China, India, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia are the countries with the largest cohorts of students in the freshman class.

“It’s important to make sure all freshmen—whether they’re domestic or international students—feel welcome on campus, learn about resources and understand that there are many on campus who are here to help them be successful,” Hansen said. “Our goal at orientation is to check all of those boxes. The ISC team feels privileged to be a part of the education of global citizens from around the world.”

First impressions 

Biology freshman Rachel Zhao wasn’t sure what to expect before arriving in the United States a month ago. In fact, it was her first time ever leaving her native China. Fortunately, she has an uncle living in San Diego who persuaded her to apply to SDSU. 

How is she feeling about her college decision so far?

“It’s magic,” Zhao said. “I love the environment, and the people here have been very welcoming. This is a completely new world for me.”

Freshman kinesiology major Benjamin Bergholdt grew up in Denmark before living in Hong Kong for the past three years. He said he is most looking forward to exploring his major, though he’s already enjoying the culture of Southern California. 

“I’ve always heard about how San Diego had amazing weather and amazing people,” Bergholdt said. “I can tell you right now it’s been great. In Hong Kong, it’s very fast-paced. It’s a little slower here, and the people are more relaxed.”

Aerospace engineering major Long Nguyen of Vietnam is one international student not facing much culture shock. He moved to San Diego three years ago and attended Children's Creative and Performing Arts Academy in North Park. He said staying in the United States for college—and studying at SDSU in particular—was not a difficult decision.

“Ever since I came (to the U.S.), this has been my dream school,” Nguyen said. “It’s my friends, it’s the education and it’s the Division I basketball team. I love basketball.”

Where is he hoping an SDSU education takes him next?

“NASA,” he said, confidently. “That’s my goal.”