Sophia Woodward

Hometown: Bristol, England.

Home university: University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Major: Theater and Film

Why she came to America: She never traveled here.

Years spent in college in home country: Three years.

Can you change your degree field: Essentially, Woodward said students are stuck. ‘Most don’t change,’ she said.

How are classes different: It is more informal at BGSU, while there is more distance between students and teachers in Great Britain.

What is dorm life like: ‘Most people don’t have roommates,’ she said. English students also cook more. ‘I was like, ‘What? You don’t cook at all,’ ‘ she said.

Student involvement : Students at Woodward’s university may participate in one club. ‘People are involved in the university a lot more [at BGSU],’ Woodward said. There’s also much more school spirit at BGSU, she said. Students ‘don’t go watch teams play’ at Aberystwyth, Woodward said.

Blen Gebreeyesus

Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Major: International Business

Why she came to America: She knew she could get ‘a better education if I go somewhere else,’ she said. ‘I’m here to…be a better person,’ Gebreeyesus said.

Years spent in college in home country: Usually three.

Can you change your degree field: ‘It’s not as easy to change. I never hear someone say, ‘Oh, I changed my major,” she said.

How are classes different: Classes are lecture styles, but the distance between teachers and students depends on how well the teachers know the students. State universities are free for all students.

What is dorm life like: Rooms are typically for three to six students.

Student involvement: Gebreeyesus said she sees BGSU spirit everywhere, while Ethiopian students don’t wear clothing supporting their university.

Hafith Alzakri

Hometown: The Jazan area in southern Saudi Arabia.

Why he came to America: America is ‘the famous country for studying,’ Alzakri said. He was also awarded money from the Saudi Arabian government to study in the United States.

Years spent in college in home country: Four years.

Can you change your degree field: It’s not easy to change, Alzakri said, because the government keeps track of the number of students studying in each field.

How are classes different: ‘Men and women only study together for medicine,’ he said. From the time Saudi Arabians begin school, the boys and girls are separated. Students cannot leave class without asking for permission. Traditional dress is also required for classes. Students do not have to pay for school, they just have to be accepted.

What is dorm life like: Students can live on or off campus, but on campus housing is free.

Student involvement: There is more interest in clubs at BGSU, but the Saudi Arabian universities provide many activities and clubs.