Listen Here
By Paige Walter and Pulse Staff
walterp1@findlay.edu
The University of Findlay hosts around 400 international students every year. Students from countries all over the world come to Findlay for experiences, fun, learning, and friends. A report from the UF Office of Institutional Research and Assessment last fall showed about 340 international students at UF from 48 different countries. UF is ending the spring 2025 semester with 302 international students from 38 countries according to Director of International Admissions Kathy Patton.
Katie Froelich is an undergraduate student working towards her bachelor’s in nursing and master’s in occupational therapy. As leader the International Student Fellowship Bible study hosted by the local College First Church of God, she mentors and builds connections with a handful of international students.
“I think of so many good international people who have come here to the university, a list of people who are so kind, sweet, truly seeking community, and learning,” Froelich said. “The culture on campus can be closed minded to our friends, and it plays a huge role on their experiences here. If they go to an activity where people won’t engage in conversation, it can seem to isolate them to where they just stop going to on-campus activities.”
Froelich mentors incoming students through the loneliness, she helps students feel wanted and at home, she also gives aid to whatever resources they may need.
“I am a friend – I help mostly with the cultural shift, and the shock they have when they come here,” Froelich said.
“A lot of our students don’t always understand climate, they come here with no coat or the only shoes they have are flip-flops. They aren’t always entirely prepared for life in Ohio.”
Minal Bista, an international admissions counselor at UF was an international student here at Findlay herself, enjoyed her time here and is glad to see it continue.
“My experience at the University of Findlay has been truly life changing. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I absolutely would,” Bista said. “I’ve gained not only an education but also a second family. Now, as a staff member, I’ve found yet another family in the International Admissions Office.”
Bista hopes all international students have the same positive experience she did but as international students plan to go home for the summer, she offers advice in the traveling process.
“If I could offer one piece of advice to international students heading home or preparing to travel, it would be to take care of your important documents,” Bista said. “Always double-check that you have them with you and store them securely. It might seem simple, but it’s something I personally prioritize every time I travel, and it brings peace of mind.”
Asmaa Dardar, in the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Applied Linguistics Degree program spent two years at UF, and thought her time as a student at UF was valuable.
“I was able to learn more about the education system in the U.S. and was able to learn what I’d take to my country” Dardar said.
“Most importantly I loved being able to see the world here, trying new foods, exploring states, and building relationships I enrolled in a choir class, and it wasn’t something I was imagining to be an opportunity. But it was an amazing honor to sing with people.”
Darder’s experience in the U.S. has inspired her to plan for the future.
“I have two dreams, one is to open an English language learning center, if everything goes as planned,” Dardar said. “I will also try to start to a group of volunteers to go out and change some things in my country, for example changes of environment and society.”
