Student Spotlight

Moch Syifa, IELSP student from Yogyakarta

This is my first time to study abroad. I think I’m so lucky because I can study in United States. Many people said that United States is the best place to study and to learn about tolerance and multiculturalism.

First day when I was arrived in Tucson, Arizona, I got jet lag. Because it was very long trip, it was about a 20 hour trip from my country to the United States. But I really enjoyed it. That was a great experience.

At January, 15, 2008, I arrived in Tucson, a city in Arizona that I have never heard before. I don’t know a lot about this city, I just checked some information from the internet. I knew that this city located in southern Arizona, and the landscape is desert area.

When I arrived in Tucson airport, I met Danielle from IIE and the staff from Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) University of Arizona. They were very nice people. They picked me up, brought me to the apartment and managed all of my needs. People in Tucson are very nice, I have never imagined before. They helped me to find the direction of the University of Arizona when I was looking for it. I also see that they are respectful to the other people.

The weather in Tucson is also nice. I think it’s not really extreme weather, although my first day in Tucson was very surprising. I felt that the weather was really cold, because it was my first time in winter.

My first class began in January, 22, 2008. It was very interesting because I met many students from all around the world. They were from China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Panama, etc. It was amazing! I have so many friends from different countries. I also learned many things about their cultures and customs. It’s really a great experience in my life.