Life on the University of Arkansas campus is full of fun, passion, and community; but don’t just take our word for it. We sat down with Namiko Bagirimvano, who serves the U of A as the Assistant Director of International Student Retention, to ask her a few questions about how she perceives campus life. Check out her Q&A below to discover more about what makes our university unique!
I did not leave my family and move to another country just to get a bachelor’s degree. I came to learn other languages… I came to learn about history, geography, and other cultures, lifestyles, and types of governments. I wanted to get ideas of how I could contribute to my country when I go back.
Namaste, everyone! My name is Shivani Harshad Merchant and I’m an international undergraduate student from India. I am a sophomore Computer Science and Engineering major at the University of Arkansas, and am eager to share my experience as an international transfer student with you!
When I landed at XNA airport in Fayetteville, AR in August 2018 at 12:00am, I was just exhausted from the two-day journey it had taken me to get here from my home island, Dominica. All I wanted to do was hop in an Uber (my first Uber ever!) and get to my friend’s apartment to get some sleep. I had no idea that this was the beginning of one of the most amazing and transformative times of my life. Let me share with you how coming to the University of Arkansas has changed my life.
At first, I was not sure of what pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Arkansas was going to be like. I had fears, doubts, and questions that needed answers. I wondered how I was going to cope in a new environment. I used to believe that school was all about academics and nothing more. I was the kind of student who gave about 85% of my time to schoolwork and cared so little about other important aspects of student life which are also necessary to create a balance. But coming to the University of Arkansas, I now have a better understanding.
When I accepted my offer to start a graduate degree program in Psychology at the University of Arkansas, I knew I was in for a big change. I left a small liberal arts institution in Virginia where I knew everyone and everyone knew me and moved 1,000 miles away to a place where I knew absolutely nobody. At first it was really scary, and I was worried I’d be overwhelmed with school and responsibilities while missing home, but after living here for a year, I can look back and say I’m so glad I made this decision!
