Southern Nazarene University is a warm and welcoming place for first time students. With this, the amount of new students continues to grow. In particular, the number of international students.
Robbie Patton, the head pastor at Lake Overholser church of the Nazarene and ministry professor on campus, graduated from SNU in 2004. He gave insight and talked about his experience with international students.
“I would say the international population is much higher now,” Patton noted. “I think what was both important then and now is the connection with the student body. Making sure that there is a joint integration in the life of campus, not just siloed off to class and practice.”
While discussing some of the unique perspectives shared by international students in the class, Patton emphasized the importance of awareness.
“One thing that I have to kind of check myself on is breaking down the presupposition of the basis about christian faith,” Patton said. “I think it’s also important that we recognize in the classroom that they [international students] bring a lot of different questions and ideas which I think is good.”
Qaali Ali, sophomore, is the international student society president this year. Her parents are missionaries, and she was born and raised in Ethiopia. She talked about some of the resources that helped her the most when she first arrived on campus.
“The NSI International Student Orientation is a huge resource and safe place for international students to land in their first weeks on campus,” Ali stated. “That orientation shares a lot of resources with new students from contacts of people they can reach out to, weather advisories and information for on-campus jobs.”
She discussed about how the school could continue helping international students once they arrive through communication.
“Communication is really important because having a space for international students to say what they need, without fear of judgment, would allow them to feel more comfortable in asking for help and advocating for what they need,” Ali said.
Ali notices the beauty within the society; for international students, America is unfamiliar and new.
“The International Student Society is a beautiful space to recognize and celebrate cultures here on campus,” she added. “There is power in knowing you are not alone and connecting with people who understand the hardship of being far from home. [That] made my transition a lot easier, and I want others to feel the peace that comes from a special community like that.”
She concluded her thoughts by stating her mission within her role in the society.
“As the president this year, I want to make sure everyone feels welcome to be part of that space. No one should ever be told they are not international enough,” Ali concluded.
As the year continues, the international community on campus is growing and thriving, and SNU continues to be a supportive and welcoming community of believers.
Photo by: SNU Creative