With my summer almost gone and classes starting in less than two months, I started feeling really homesick. But funny enough, I wasn’t feeling homesick for my “home,” but actually for my college. Maryville College in this past year has been my home, my partner in crime and I really miss it (even though I have been away for only two months and 5 days, but hey, who’s counting). Since I miss everything from my classes to the hours staring at my flag at Bartlet, I decided to make a list of 5 reason why MC is the best college for international students. Then again, coming from me the information will be kind of biased (just a little bit) and to be honest it was hard to come up with just five because on my list I already had 18 more reasons, including the squirrels as one of the reasons (come on they are cute). Nevertheless, I had to choose 5, so here we go:

1. You create friendships that will be for life

Maryville College is an amazing and diverse college. I mean, I’ve met kids from all over the world and the funny thing about Maryville students is that they are the coolest kids you’ll ever meet. The kind of friendship that we built is one that is going to last forever, through space and time. And I am not just saying this because on the first day they helped me with my luggage all the way to the third floor and in less than 5 minutes I already had more than 8 people in my dorm excited to meet me. No, it is not because of that (but it was a contributing factor). These people that I’ve had the privilege to meet are the sweetest, smartest and most selfless people I’ve ever met. It was almost as if the best people in the world were all at MC and even being from different countries, with different cultures and even language we always find a way to communicate and get along with each other (and take goofy pictures).

2. Becoming a cultural Ambassador

This is probably one of my favorites things about MC: the chance to tell people about my country. I remember when I first got there nobody knew where on earth Cabo Verde was, and now I am proud to say that at least they know where it is and what the colors of my flag are. But the fun thing about being a Cultural Ambassador is that we can share our culture not just inside, but outside Maryville College and it is just the best feeling when people are actually entertained and curious to know about a different place with a different culture compared to United States.

3. GCO (Global Citizenship Organization)

The GCO is a club administered by the internationals students and it is also the coolest club on campus and I am not being biased (maybe a little). But the club has won lots of awards and the events that we organize are just off the hook. Speaking of events, my favorite was the Holi festival; it was fun to see people from different ages, ethnicities and majors laughing and throwing colored powders at each other, having fun and literally making the college look more cheerful.

4. The International House

My favorite spot on campus, the international house. Rumour has it that I-House is haunted and since it was originally the college's infirmary, I wouldn’t doubt it (especially because I spent a night there studying for my cell biology exam and it was creepy). But ghosts aside, I-House is not here in the list because it is haunted (honestly by this time I think the entire college is haunted). I-House is where we find comfort, love and an awesome staff that cares about us and that makes us feel like we’re home. You see, being international is hard by itself, let alone in a country like United states and a place like Maryville, and when we are lost not knowing what to do with our lives. When we are homesick, we can just go to I-House and knock at any door there and get a free hug, cookies and if you’re lucky, chocolate. The I-House is where we spend our time together, where we play games and take naps (the couch is so soft) and where we have our best times, because everyone there is family. And family is forever.

5. We are a family

Far most important, Maryville College is not just great because of the academics or the fact that you can share your culture with others. Maryville is great because they teach you about family. It sounds cliche, but at MC you feel home-away-from-home. And you always have people around you trying to make you feel better and it will be no surprise when you go to your mailbox and just find chocolate, cookies, appreciation letters or candies because that’s how they will treat you when you feel homesick. They will spoil you and make you feel much better. If you need to cry, they will cry with you, if you need to laugh they will make you laugh and if you just need a hug the doors are always open for you. And that my friends it is just one of million reasons Maryville College is the best place not just for international students but for any student who wants to have an amazing education and create great memories while doing so.