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Pedro Rodriguez.
Finding a New Home
Gracey Saavedra, Staff Writer • November 17, 2023

  UMKC senior and finance major Pedro Rodiguez knows first-hand how difficult it can be to assimilate into a new university.    As a...

The Epperson House is closed to visitors, but can be seen from the distance around campus.
The Spooky History of the Castle on Campus
Aurora Wilson, Lifestyle and Culture Editor • October 31, 2023

  Located at the corner of Cherry and 52 St., the Epperson House looms over UMKC’s campus, haunting students who dare to walk past it.    Construction...

Dr. Villamandos and Dr. Grieco in front of Sancho Panza in the Twentieth Century
UC Berkeley Art Historian To Speak on Historic Haag Murals
Lauren Zoller, Staff Writer • October 30, 2023

  A University of California Berkeley art historian will present her research on Luis Quintanilla, a world-renowned artist whose murals have...

Tayler and the cast sit as they prepare for more filming.
You Are Now Leaving Godly
Lydia Schneider, Staff Writer • October 20, 2023

  Tayler Gilbert, UMKC senior and professional photographer, is putting the final touches on his new film, “Welcome to Godly.”    Gilbert...

Abigail Weiler holds her business card.
Clayful by Abbie
Gracey Saavedra, Staff Writer • October 18, 2023

 Abigail Weiler, fourth-year political science and French major at UMKC, delivers confidence in the form of handmade polymer clay jewelry.    Her...

Highlighting the international student experience

International+students+at+UMKC+have+voiced+mixed+opinions+about+their+experiences.+%28Julia+Kapros%2FRoo+News%29
International students at UMKC have voiced mixed opinions about their experiences. (Julia Kapros/Roo News)

Wenjie Cao traveled across the world to pursue his education, but his experience as an international student at UMKC has included loneliness and adversity.

“The school has taken very poor care of international students, especially during the epidemic,” Cao said. “It makes people feel empty and helpless.”

Cao, 22, is from China and a senior at UMKC, majoring in communications with an emphasis in mass communication and journalism. For Cao, the transition was difficult because he wasn’t fully prepared for life away from home.

“The exchange of international students is still not friendly enough for international students, especially if you have not learned some things… like renting a house, buying a car and all the chores in life,” Cao said.

Tara Ogoti, an exchange student from Kenya studying electrical and computer engineering, also mentioned that lack of preparedness created struggles in adapting to living on her own at college.

“In the beginning, I had a lot of problems with taking care of everything on my own, but that is just part of becoming an adult,” Ogoti said. “Right now is the first time I have ever been like ‘I got this,’ and it only took three years.”

Some international students at UMKC also mentioned that socializing has been difficult, pointing out that UMKC students tend to keep to themselves.

Yara Salamed, 20, is a U.S. citizen but attended high school in Palestine. She said she noticed a lack of interaction between students in the classroom.

“In Palestine, everyone in the classroom is more like family,” Salamed said. “I hate when people just get on their phones when they’re sitting right next to human beings, we should talk.”

Cao shared similar thoughts and said that he thinks that lack of interaction has meant other students haven’t had much of an influence on him.

“People only pay attention to their own affairs,” Cao said.

Unlike Cao, Ogoti commented on the kindness she had received from other students and how they helped her improve her communication skills.

“Everyone is so nice, and it has helped me work on my small talk…but I have heard of people having some bad experiences,” Ogoti said.

While connections made in the classroom with peers may not be as strong at UMKC, the international students also acknowledged the advantages of American universities.

“The biggest difference between American schools and Chinese schools is that the content of teaching is very professional and open,” Cao said. “Compared with China, American education is freer and more tolerant, and more objective and fairer.”

Many international students said they feel better prepared for college than students who grew up and graduated from the American school system, however.

“To be honest, high school in Palestine prepared me way more for college. They really emphasize learning,” Salamed said. “It was a lot harder than here.”

Overall, students said they were pleased with the international program but felt there are large challenges that face international students.

“Because I am studying and living in a country other than my own, there will always be some strange eyes on me,” Cao said. “But it is these things that make me stronger now, not afraid of any difficulties.”

For more information on UMKC’s International Student Program, visit https://www.umkc.edu/admissions/international-students.html

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