At Sonoma State University, a vibrant tapestry of cultures, languages, and dreams unfolds every academic year. As international students from around the globe embark on their educational journeys in the United States, they bring their unique stories of ambition, resilience, and cross-cultural exchange.

According to the official SSU website, 48 students from 25 different countries joined the university in fall 2022. This is a great opportunity for the school because, according to Hope Emry Ortiz, the global engagement coordinator, it enriches the diversity of the student body at SSU. Ortiz said “Students are able to share their values and cultural traditions in ways that other SSU students may never have experienced before.”

International students are fully participating and included in campus life. Ortiz explained that those students are involved in clubs, Greek life, work on campus, are part of the athletics team and one of the current students is a resident advisor in residential life. International students also have their own club that is open to everyone. Ortiz said “The International Education Exchange Council (IEEC) exists solely to promote cross-cultural understanding and foster our global community on campus between international and domestic students.” 

According to Umar Wahid, first-year master’s in electrical and computer engineering at SSU, joining the club on campus is fun. He said “Joining a club is not only a way to learn new things, but also a way to socialize with a lot of people who have different backgrounds and get to know the US better.” For Wahid, being exposed to diverse cultures and communities is a new experience that is really enjoyable. He also explained joining the hiking clubs reminded him of the hike he used to do at home, and he said, “It is an enriching experience since the very first day.”

For international students, joining SSU is a great opportunity. Ancilla Chandra, a senior majoring in philosophy from Indonesia, coming to the US was a way to ease her educational experience. Chandra said “I have been diagnosed with a mental disability, bipolar and anxiety disorders, in my home country since I was in high school, and it is somewhat difficult to deal with my education journey. In my country, there are no facility resources such as the Disability Services for Students (DSS) in universities.” SSU offers resources for students with disabilities such as DSS to help them pursue their education. According to Chandra, “Being a student at Sonoma State is giving me a better direction to pursue my goals.”

Coming to another country by yourself can sometimes come with challenges. Both Wahid and Chandra relate missing the food from their homeland. Chandra also said, “The culture shock and language barriers when I speak with everyone here is a challenge. It takes time to progress, but the longer I stay here, the more I adapt to it. I also miss my family.”

However, Chandra said that the benefits are greater than the challenges, which is something Wahid also mentioned. For them, moving across the world is a great experience. Chandra said “I learned how to live independently, be resilient, and work harder. I have the experience of making friends from other countries, improving my English, and learning new things from people such as their culture.” While Wahid said, “I have gained confidence to manage my personal life. Academics are great here and I love my experience and environment.”