Celebrate International Education Week
November 19, 2019
Pictured from left: Daniel Kanba Tapang, Hanjin Sun, Harsh Bagrecha, Ivana Andric, and Emily Tafur.
Each year, New York Institute of Technology participates in International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education that celebrates the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.
With students from more than 90 countries, New York Tech is dedicated to fostering intercultural understanding. From November 18 through 22, events across the New York City and Long Island campuses will focus on social causes worldwide, career development in the global market, and intercultural exchange. For a full list of events, visit nyit.edu/events/kickoff.
The Box sat down with five international students from every corner of the world to ask them about their challenges and what brought them to New York Tech.
Hanjin Sun
Country: China
Major: Advertising, Public Relations, and Technology, B.F.A.
Expected Year of Graduation: 2019
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when you came to study in the U.S.?
When I came here to study, I think the biggest challenge was that I needed to rely on myself whenever I was met with any problem. When I was at home, my family could help me. Now, I could only find a way to solve the problem myself. However, it made me more independent.
What brought you to New York Tech?
I think New York Tech is particularly well located, in the heart of Manhattan. It is convenient, and it is also very close to Central Park. It is a very pleasant thing to go to Central Park after class.
What do you miss the most from your home country?
What I miss most is my family and the food in my hometown. I often have video chats with my family. Fortunately, there are plenty of Chinese restaurants in New York.
Daniel Kanba Tapang
Country: Ghana
Major: Computer Science, M.A.
Expected Year of Graduation: 2020
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when you came to study in the United States:
The difference in weather. Apart from that, the people are warm and welcoming. I have enjoyed my experience.
What brought you here to New York Tech?
The goal was to advance my capabilities in computer science. The courses offered included AI and Big Data Analytics, and I wanted to study these courses in New York.
What do you miss the most from your home country?
I mostly miss the warm weather and the spicy food.
Emily Tafur
Country: Colombia
Major: Communication Arts, M.A.
Expected Year of Graduation: 2020
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when you came to study in the U.S.?
Getting used to the weather was huge! I grew up in a perpetual summer, but the biggest challenge was making friends and connecting with anyone; finding my “niche” was hard.
What brought you to New York Tech?
From a young age, I wanted to pursue a career in theatre or entertainment in general, so I wanted to be in or near New York City. I chose New York Institute of Technology for my masters because I specifically wanted to learn how to edit, produce, and channel my creativity for modern media platforms as well as young audiences.
What do you miss the most from your home country?
The warm weather and the people. Also dancing, tropical music, and culture.
Harsh Bagrecha
Country: India
Major: Finance, M.B.A.
Expected Year of Graduation: 2021
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when you came to study in the United States?
Making new friends and getting used to the American way of living.
What brought you here to New York Tech?
I always wanted to come to America for my post-graduate work, and with the growing business opportunities in the world, New York is the place to be. New York Tech is the best medium to achieve my place in the business world.
What do you miss the most from your home country?
I miss the people back home who I’ve been with all my life, and a South Indian delicacy called “Dosa.”
Ivana Andric
Country: Croatia
Major: Engineering Management, B.S.
Expected Year of Graduation: 2020
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome when you came to study in the United States?
The transition of moving abroad went smooth for me. I was part of the tennis team at New York Tech, and the senior girls from the team took care of us, freshmen. That helped a lot, and I didn’t feel like an outsider at all.
What brought you here to New York Tech?
I chose New York Tech because of the successful tennis team and the engineering program. And I always wanted to know what it was like to study and live in the Big Apple.
What do you miss the most from your home country?
I miss my brother, he was my sparring [hitting] partner back home and the biggest support at the tournaments.
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