For many years, international students have been part of Moravian University’s community. In the fall of 2025, these students completed a survey exploring their experiences at the university and the significant differences between the higher education system in the U.S. and their home countries. The survey received six responses, primarily from students studying in Europe (Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic) and Turkey. Some respondents are degree-seeking students, while others are exchange students who are staying at Moravian for only one semester.

The first question in the survey asked participants why they chose to study in the U.S. rather than in other countries. The responses were diverse and included answers such as “better diploma recognition,” which likely came from degree-seeking students. In contrast, students who came for just one semester indicated that they sought a cultural experience, as university life and culture in the U.S. differ significantly from that in their home countries.

According to the students, the key difference between the universities in the United States and those in their countries is campus life. Most respondents stated that their home universities do not have a centralized campus or organized activities outside of class. Additionally, the survey indicated that universities abroad place less emphasis on clubs and extracurricular activities and on building a sense of community than Moravian does. This trend is supported by the Study Abroad Foundation, which notes, “Many American universities pride themselves on campus culture created by sports, clubs, teams, and extracurricular activities.” 

Another significant difference is class size. Most respondents stated that they prefer small classes and value that their professors at Moravian “know” them. One of the international students, who studied in Germany, recalled, “When I was transferring my credits to Moravian, I reached out to a professor for a recommendation since I had earned an A in his class. Instead of a response, he asked me if it was a joke; he did not even remember I was in his class.” 

In their home countries, professors usually do not know their students because classes can have up to 100 people in a single section. While some U.S. universities and colleges also have large class sizes, students can attend smaller private institutions like Moravian. 

Students were also asked to compare the difficulty of classes in the U.S. with those in their home countries. The majority agreed that classes at Moravian are generally easier than back home. However, all respondents noted that the amount of homework assigned at Moravian was significantly greater. Many specifically stated that in their countries, students typically do not have quizzes or essays during the semester and instead face a single major oral exam at the end. As a result, they felt that the challenge of U.S. coursework lies more in time management and consistent effort than in intensive memorization. 

Some students highlighted that they really appreciated the different approaches to learning they experienced in the U.S., along with the support they received from professors, which made classes feel easier. For example, in the U.S., professors often provide study guides for exams and actively encourage their students to succeed.

This view was reinforced by a multiple-choice question, in which students indicated that they value campus life, student activities, the freedom to choose courses, diverse cultural experiences, and access to technology over the perceived quality of education.

Overall, for international students at Moravian University, the most notable differences are the heavier workload and smaller class sizes. At the same time, they enjoy the enriching and diverse cultural experience offered by the United States and the university.