As this edition goes out, I find myself with about one week left at Moravian, and I can’t help but feel a touch nostalgic already. Change used to intimidate me, especially when I first began my International Relations studies in Germany, unsure if I’d actually commit to a semester abroad (ironic for someone studying a field with “international” in the name). Yet here I am, looking back on a journey that has given me far more than I expected.
In mid-August, I was the first international student to arrive for the Fall Semester ’24. Michelle Rios-Araque from the Center for Global Education (CGE) greeted me at ABE airport, the first of many warm welcomes I’d receive at Moravian. “Welcome to the U.S.A.,” became a phrase I heard more often than I expected, especially coming from Germany, where such rather enthusiastic greetings tend to be rare.
Severely jet-lagged and barely coherent after a 10-hour flight from Frankfurt, I was handed off to Campus Police – a concept foreign to my home campus, where we only have one security guard at a time. They took a rather unflattering student ID photo and then escorted me to Bernhard-Wilhelm, the freshman dorm where most female international students stayed (even though most of us were juniors or seniors).
When I arrived at my room, the CGE had everything ready for my first night, complete with a toothbrush, blanket, bedding, and even instant mac and cheese. They went above and beyond, from trips to Philly and D.C. to organizing pumpkin carvings for Halloween and even a farewell dinner. Jesher Velazquez, in particular, went out of her way to ensure we always felt supported and at ease.
The campus felt vast compared to home but was still eerily empty, except for a few student-athletes – a distinctly American concept as well, since sports aren’t a big deal at most European universities.
My Resident Advisor – another novelty, since European dormitories don’t have them – was the only person on the floor and maybe in both Bernie and Willie on my first night.
Everything about campus life felt worlds apart from Europe, where students typically live in shared off-campus apartments with private rooms, there are no sororities or fraternities, and the drinking and partying culture is … let’s say, different.
While still all on my own, the unfamiliar surroundings slightly intimidated me, like the abundance of red pedestrian lights (and the way people casually ignored them). But soon, I began to enjoy the freedom of getting lost between North and South campus, exploring Main Street and the Southside. It didn’t take long to realize that Bethlehem was special.
Then, slowly but surely, the rest of the international students arrived, 13 in total from all over the globe: Czech Republic, France, Germany, Nicaragua, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Vietnam. The group was split: seven students for the full course, and six for just one semester. I was among the latter group.
My roommate Heidi also arrived. Since I live alone in Germany, I wasn’t sure how sharing a small room would go, but I got lucky. We immediately hit it off, and she quickly became friends with all the other internationals.
When I was 16, I went on a student exchange to a small town in Kentucky, which spared me from many of the American culture shocks my peers were now facing: athleisure, eagle-adorned pickup trucks, XL groceries, Uber over public transit, and, of course, the bathroom stalls.
One thing I came to genuinely appreciate, though, was the politeness a
nd sense of community. People held doors open, smiled at strangers, and didn’t hesitate to strike up a friendly conversation.
After intense orientation weeks (for one international student, “orientation” became a trigger word), we finally dove into our studies.
Most international students are here on scholarships, covering all semester fees except housing and the meal plan. I was fortunate to have three in total, which helped cover those costs and offset higher living expenses.
I was especially interested in the differences in class structures here, considering that higher education in Europe is free and public universities, therefore, tend to be bigger. I quickly noticed it felt more school-like: compulsory attendance, interactive classes, and weekly submissions – things I was not used to at my university in Erfurt.
On the other hand, this structure allowed me to forge more meaningful connections with professors, whose sincere investment in their students really made an impression on me.
I was free to choose any classes I wanted, so I went with political science courses like Dr. Rhodes’ American Political System and also an English class, Professor Ellen-Alu’s Intro to Journalism. That class ignited my journey with The Comenian, where the brilliant team won me over immediately.
However, the class that truly changed me as a person was Dr. Haddad’s Utopias, Dystopias, and Manifestos. I believe Dr. Haddad is a once-in-a-lifetime educator who challenges students to overcome mental barriers and broaden their perspectives in ways I’d never experienced in a class before. And honestly, I also just loved the people in that class.
It wasn’t just the professors though. Many of us international students bonded with beloved STAR worker Vasiliki, who even invited us to her husband’s diner once. And the way Reverend Jennika Borger leads the chapel made me feel at ease in a religious setting, probably for the first time ever.
So, to keep it brief: I quickly fell in love with Moravian’s community, faculty, staff, and students alike, who were incredibly generous, engaged, and open to “foreign” perspectives.
But of course, this semester wasn’t just about academics: I celebrated my 22nd birthday with new friends from all over the world and had the privilege to travel to Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Niagara Falls, New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Washington D.C.
Our timing couldn’t have been better, too. We had the chance to experience iconic American holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and also the Christmas season, along with the excitement of a Presidential election.
But now, it’s time to say goodbye. A sincere thank you to everyone who entered my life and contributed to making this experience unforgettable, in big and small ways. If you ever get the chance, I can’t recommend a semester abroad enough.
Thank you, Moravian.
