Cortland Unpacked by International Roommates

 

      Cortland Unpacked by International Roommates

 This past August I met Chan and Till, two new international students at SUNY Cortland. I served as their orientation leader during international student orientation. I interviewed them to learn more about their study abroad experience as roommates.

 

Chan and Till preparing Korean rice in their West Campus Apartment kitchen!

Without further ado, here is our interview! 

Please introduce yourself and share what made you come study here at SUNY Cortland. 

Till: Hey, I’m Till Schaden, 22 years old, from Germany. I study at the German Sport University Cologne, and I’m spending one semester here at SUNY Cortland, which is one of our partner universities. I’ve always wanted to experience American college life and get to know the culture, so coming here was the perfect opportunity for me.

Chan: My name is Yeongchan Kim, and I decided to come to SUNY Cortland because I wanted to study in a different cultural environment and have new experiences. I’m from South Korea, and I’m majoring in Media and Communication at Kwangwoon University in Seoul.

What is something surprising or interesting you have learned about other cultures since living here?

Till: I live in an apartment with guys from South Korea, the U.S., and Pakistan, and we get along super well. It’s been really cool learning about everyone’s background, from food and traditions to religion and daily habits. What’s funny is that, even though we come from completely different places, we actually have a lot of similar routines and interests.

Chan: One of my roommates is from Pakistan, and through him, I learned about the Muslim religion and what Halal food means for the first time. It was really interesting to understand a culture and religion that I didn’t know much about before.

Till in New York City!

What has been the best part about studying here in the United States, and what has been a challenge? 

Till: I really like the big sports facilities and how friendly and close it feels on West Campus. You see familiar faces everywhere, which makes it feel a bit like home. I also love that I can join intramural sports here, it’s so much fun. What took a bit of getting used to were the attendance rules and frequent tests. Back home in Germany, attendance usually isn’t required and your entire grade depends on one big exam at the end.

Chan: The best part of studying here in the United States has been meeting people from many different countries and learning about each other’s cultures. It’s been such a great opportunity to make international friends and share our experiences. The most challenging part, though, has been the language barrier—sometimes it’s hard to fully understand everything in class, and assignments take me a bit longer to finish. One thing I found really impressive about SUNY Cortland is the Student Life Center. It’s very well managed, and it helps students stay healthy and active. I like that there are many exercise machines, a swimming pool, and various fitness programs available anytime.

How has living together influenced the way you see the world or other cultures? 

Till: Living with people from different countries is a great experience for me. I’ve realized how similar we actually are, even if we grew up in totally different environments. It’s taught me to be more open, curious, and to appreciate the little differences that make each culture unique. Plus, it’s nice to know you can always learn something new from each other.

Chan: Living here has taught me to be more open-minded and understanding toward other cultures. I realized how big the world is and how important it is to respect differences.

Chan visiting Yale during Fall break!

What advice would you give to future international students at SUNY Cortland?

Till: Just go for it! It’s super easy to meet people here, everyone’s open and welcoming, and you’ll quickly feel part of the community. Try as many things as you can, especially all the sports and campus activities. It’s a great way to make friends and have a lot of fun while you’re here.

Chan: For future international students, I would say—join as many activities as you can and enjoy your time with friends. You’ll learn a lot, not only from classes but also from the people around you.

It seems like Chan and Till have made the most of their semester abroad here at SUNY Cortland. Their experience highlights the importance of community and taking advantage of the opportunities that our university offers. It has been a pleasure to meet them, and I'm excited to see what these Red Dragons accomplish next!

Blog made by Mia Parise