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From India to Boston

From India to Boston

An International Student Perspective at Simmons

 

It was a beginning to a great college experience

By Priyal Goyal on November 4, 2012 11:10 PM | Comments
Being an international student I never had an option of visiting Simmons in the summer. So unlike other students, I did not know how my college looked like until the day of Fall Orientation. 
Obviously, I had built a beautiful picture of Simmons in my mind before coming here. And, I was so happy to see that Simmons totally met all the expectations of my "Dream School". From smiling, happy and friendly faces all around the campus, to small classes, very helpful faculty and lots of opportunities to learn and grow. Simmons was a perfect place for me. 

It took me a while to make friends, to know my professors, to get involved in the community but I was never scared to take the first step. Because I knew I had a big support system. Simmons was my support system. In my classes, my professors were always more than willing to help me. The staff working in Simmons was always available to assist me with my questions. My friends were always interested in talking to me about my experiences and culture. I got very comfortable in my college life from the first semester. 

The stereotypical thought of a scary, intimidating and challenging transition to college did not hold true for me. Simmons made it very smooth for me to adjust with the new life and new culture. I not only liked what I was studying, but I also started getting a richer college experience as I started to get involved in the community. Everywhere I looked there were tons of opportunities for me. Be it classes, extra-curricular activities, leadership or any other field. All these factors made my relationship with Simmons much tighter and enriching. 

Introduction to American Life

By Priyal Goyal on October 11, 2012 12:42 AM | Comments

When I decided to come to America, I was definitely very excited. It was going to be a new beginning, new people, new culture and a new country.

But I guess no one told me about the policy of being self-dependent or maybe independent in America.

Being born and brought up in a household full with servants, maids and drivers I did not know how to make my own food, do my laundry, make my bed or walk for miles on the road.

Not knowing all of that, I came to Boston expecting that everything will be ready for me, and I will just go to classes and be fine. But, second day of orientation they started talking about "Managing your Finances". I thought to myself, "who is supposed to do that for me here, maybe my family via Skype?"

After getting my first paycheck from my first job (ever) at the Office of Student Leadership and Activities, I didn't know how to spend it. I asked myself if I was supposed to save any of it or spend it all.

My first trip to the grocery store was around 2 hours long when I was trying to figure out the difference between different kinds of breads and butter.

I obviously burned the first meal I made for myself in my apartment. Oh yes! I lived in an apartment. I had no idea how to clean and organize my apartment. I didn't know how to organize my clothes in a tiny closet.

So many mistakes and a lot of questions on how to improve myself marked the beginning of my undergraduate career in America. But I always remembered what my mom said to me. She said, "Never, ever give up on anything in life.  No matter how many times you fail, you will succeed one day".

Keeping this in mind, I started a new day as a new beginning, and learned as much as I could from the "Independent American Life". I learned to accept everything with a smile as I knew it was all for my benefit.

I'm from India and I decided to go to Simmons

By Priyal Goyal on September 21, 2012 3:24 PM | Comments

It took me almost two academic years to realize how exciting, yet knowledgeable, an experience it is to be an international student. The last two years have been very thrilling for me and not one day has passed without thinking, "Wow! My life has changed so much after coming to the United States of America, and especially to Simmons."

My name is Priyal Goyal, and I am a rising junior majoring in Computer Science and IT, with a minor in Business.

For me, coming to Simmons was a shock as well an exciting opportunity. Shock because I was going to an all women's college (I had been in an all girl's school all my life) and exciting because I was going to explore a whole new culture, different kind of people, food, education system and what not. 

I was so happy while boarding my flight to Boston on August 4, 2010. In my mind, I was ready to take on all the challenges that could come my way in order to be successful in my college career. But from my heart, I was scared, and little lonely, wondering would the "American" people accept me the way I am? Will the girls of my class be friendly with me? Will they like me despite of my skin color or my Indian accent? Will I be able to adjust with the freezing weather? Will I understand my professor talking to me in "American"? Will I be able to adjust with the new culture? 

So many thoughts, so many questions, but nothing could stop me from taking the opportunities to learn something new, make a new friend, broaden my thinking and spread more knowledge about myself and from where I belong. 

Follow me as I blog about my experience as an international student at Simmons College in Boston.