The Journey to NYIT

From November 12 through 16, international students at NYIT are showcasing their backgrounds during International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. Students, faculty, and staff can take part in a number of events held on both the Long Island (Old Westbury, N.Y.) and New York City (Manhattan) campuses to celebrate global education and exchange.

The Box sat down with a few students from around the globe to find out what their experience has been like as international students and what drew them to NYIT.

Lajja Gajjar

• Major: Health and Wellness
• Year: 2019
• Country: India

NYIT has a lot of resources such as the Learning Center that have helped me with school work. Plus, it was really helpful because English is my second language. NYIT is very diverse and I don’t feel alone on campus. The school also has a really good student-faculty ratio and the professors are very balanced and fair to every student. The big plus for me was that I am getting to study something I’ve always wanted to study: health and wellness.

In India, after 10th grade, we have to choose one field we want to pursue. That means we have to stick to that for the rest of our career. NYIT has a very good health and wellness program and that made me want to come to New York. NYIT has the right resources, it’s safe, and it’s very diverse. It is also one of the best private universities in New York.

Martin Sundell

• Major: Engineering Management
• Expected Year of Graduation: 2019
• Country: Sweden

It has been a good experience to be an international student and live on my own. The student-athlete experience has been amazing. I am the captain of the men’s soccer team this year.

I chose NYIT because of the engineering program, the fact that the school is in New York, and I received a soccer scholarship.

Jiahao Li

• Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
• Expected Year of Graduation: 2019
• Country: China

My experience has been wonderful because my advisor helped me find the perfect major for me when I transferred here. I wanted to improve myself and I figured NYIT would be the best in helping me do so. I also wanted to meet different people around the globe and build connections.

The professors at the Enrichment Center have also helped me get my grades up and encouraged me. They have guided me throughout my journey at this school.

Naeemah Robert

• Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Expected Year of Graduation: 2022
• Country: Haiti

It’s been great! The classes I am taking are awesome and my professors make sure that every student understands what they’re teaching. In terms of the social aspect, it’s been so fun. I am part of National Society of Black Engineers. I am still trying to fit in, and NYIT is helping me adjust to the American lifestyle. The International Student Office is very helpful.

I can’t pursue a career in engineering in Haiti because they don’t have all the resources for me to succeed in the field. I wanted to go to college in New York, and I really liked what they were doing in the engineering program at NYIT, so I decided to give it a shot.

Ofentse Kwenaite

• Major: Communication Arts
• Expected Year of Graduation: 2020
• Country: South Africa

It’s been fun! I moved in around August for preseason, I’m part of the men’s soccer team, and that helped me make friends and build connections. All my friends at NYIT help me grow as a soccer player.

I started my soccer journey in Colorado and I was looking for places to go and thought of New York. When I heard that NYIT was a very competitive Division II school, I spoke to the coach and he convinced me to come here. I haven’t looked back since.