On Aug.15, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) welcomed students from around the globe, all bound for Concordia University. These international students arrived at the Lower Quads, eager to embark on their new academic semester in California.

Moving so far from home was not a difficult decision for some. Aislinn McGahan, a junior psychology student who comes from London, said, “I have always loved America, but also California and the weather.” Wanting to get out of their comfort zone and see new places can be one of the reasons why students decide to change their lives in this way for a few months. “I kind of wanted to live far from home, just to travel the world, and live the American dream,” McGahan added. 

But not all of these students speak English as their first language. Alberto Gatti, who is Italian, decided to finish his financial master's at Concordia. “I had a challenge, an opportunity so I went for it,” Gatti said, “I wanted to come to the USA to improve my English, and I chose Concordia because it was in California, and I have always wanted to come here.”  

The same happened with Ema Sova, an International Justice student from Croatia. She said, “I was excited about sports and community, which is much more common in American schools.” They explain that the cultural barrier is real, but is just about adaptation. “I was excited to come to California, to explore… to see what opportunities will turn up here,” Sova continued. 

When a student moves so far from home, a significant purpose is usually behind their decision. Concordia's choice location is likely a great attraction, as is its fame among athletes. Marcus Morgan, a junior studying Communications, and a volleyball player, who comes from Toronto, came to the university with the purpose of playing in a D1 school in California, “This school caught my attention because I can get in both academically and set myself up for success on and off the court.” 

Malachi Ebanks, a junior student from London, who studies acting, found Concordia’s relative proximity to Los Angeles appealing. “I like the idea of starting off in Hollywood,” he said.

As a small liberal arts school with a wide variety of academic departments available at Concordia, students can develop close relationships between professors and leadership which can help international students feel included. Gatti said, “I love people here because they are really nice and I feel like they care about me, as they are always helping me to understand them and involve me in activities.” 

Furthermore, the organization and programs offered by Concordia seem to be interesting for international students, who note the differences in the American school system.  “I love how it is organized in terms of hours of class and assignment…I think they organize the dynamics of the class very well,” Gatti said.  

Some of these differences in America have introduced challenges, and when you go to a new place you never really know what limitations it will bring with it. Sova said that even though Irvine is such a “beautiful place to live…the only issue is transportation around this area, which, if you don’t have a car, can be very challenging.” 

International students expressed confidence that their expectations would be met and exceeded. Morgan emphasized the personal growth and exposure that studying abroad would provide. "I feel like coming here is kind of exposure, like branding and being authentic to myself, that was one of the biggest reasons to come here... probably the reason why I decided to make this change. I am 100% sure that my expectations will be met."

Concordia offers a compelling combination of factors that make it an attractive destination for international students. The weather, proximity to Los Angeles, academic opportunities and supportive community contribute to a positive and enriching experience for those seeking to explore and continue their studies abroad.

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