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International Insights

By Jacob Knabel on May. 2, 2016 in Athletic Announcements

One might wonder how international student-athletes wind up on Concordia’s campus. Many people in the United States probably do not even know where Seward, Neb. is, so how do people from different countries hear about it? What is it like to come to the US from a different country? How did these student-athletes decide to attend Concordia? After talking with some international Bulldog student-athletes, these questions and more are answered.

In a video series call International Insights, some of Concordia’s international student-athletes talk about their experiences coming to a different country to go to school and be a part of the athletic program here. A video featuring an international student-athlete was released each Tuesday and Thursday during the month of April.

All the student-athletes that were interviewed had one thing in common besides being from outside the United States: they would recommend Concordia to anyone who is thinking about coming here from a different country.

Julie Johnston-Herman agreed by saying, “Studying abroad is always a good idea. It widens people’s horizons and provides a kind of learning beyond the classroom. Concordia is a very welcoming, safe and wonderful place to be.”

Johnston-Herman is Concordia’s Director of Global Opportunities and helps international students transition to US from their home countries. She helps the students with things other students may take for granted such as getting a cell phone, setting up a bank account and getting health insurance.

“Having international students here on campus is a way to bring international flavor here without students having to invest in it…It’s bringing a part of the world here without leaving Seward, Neb.,” Johnston-Herman said.

Below are some samples from the Bulldog student-athletes interviewed for the International Insights video series:

Carlos Acosta | Men’s Soccer | Cali, Columbia
“You have to remember why you’re here. Being here from Columbia, it’s like a dream come true. Not a lot of people have this blessing to come study in the United States. I have to take advantage of that and enjoy it.”

Toby Down | Men’s Soccer | Sai Kung, Hong Kong 
“I think that it’s important (having internationals on campus) for growth and learning about other peoples’ cultures. I think it helps people to develop as a person. It makes things interesting. A lot of people from smaller towns in Nebraska, even on the team, there’s lads from towns of 300. For them to get exposure to internationals helps them in the smallest ways, but it’s still beneficial.”

Marcelo Hernandez | Men’s Soccer | Quito, Ecuador
“Diversity is important to know different cultures. I think internationals are soccer players more often. It helps all the students learn more about what is going on around the world and what different cultures there are in the world, it helps both sides.”

Christian Montero | Baseball | Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
“I love Concordia, it’s a great place to be…I would encourage anyone to come here, they would have a really good time. (Having international students on campus) opens a culture to people. They can learn more about other places.”

Javier Moreno | Men’s Tennis | Morelia, Mexico
“The closeness you have with your teachers and coach, you can go anytime you want and talk with them and they will always help you. It’s a really great experience. Here at Concordia I have met a couple of my best friends.”

Willy Pardos | Men’s Tennis | Pamplona, Spain
“It’s a huge opportunity because you can do what you like to do, for example playing tennis. Studying, you need to work at it, but it’s not like you don’t sleep to study. The country is really, really nice. It’s really different too but I would really recommend anyone to come. They treat you like an athlete, which is what we want.”

Dylan Pierquin | Football | Brussels, Belgium
“Concordia is a great school. My faith has been challenged and I’ve learned a lot. For international athletes, I think this is a great school to learn and to be better at whatever sport, especially football. It’s a great level of competition. It’s a great school, great teachers.”

Lewis Rathbone | Men’s Soccer | Manchester, England
“For me, the academic side is really good. You get to have a really good relationship with your professors. That’s a very good aspect of coming here, because it is a small school and you get to get more out of your studies by having good professors.”

Jaap Van Gaalen | Track & Field | Ramstein Airforce Base, Germany
“It’s worth it, you get to meet a lot of great people here. It’s just great being a part of Concordia, Nebraska, especially athletics and representing. When I go back home people will ask who I run for and I’m proud to say that I run for Concordia."