Students from over 15 different countries have studied at the ISC, including: China, Russia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Mali, Korea and UAE. Meet some of them here:

• Suiru from China is an International First year student
• Oumar Sacko from Mali is majoring in Biology
• Phat Cam Trieu from Vietnam is majoring in Quantitative Finance and Economics
• Hamed Aldhahri from Saudi Arabia wants to study Medicine
• Euntae Chung from South Korea is studying a Psychology major
• Aizhanov Anuar from Kazakhstan plans to major in Business
• Weiwei Xu from China is taking the Studio Art degree
• Kazuo Arai from Japan will study the Business degree
• Mailizar from Indonesia joined the Master's in Educational Technology
• Yuting He from China joined the BBA degree
• Jaiqi Hu from China progressed to the Accounting degree

---

Suiru Lei

from: China
ISC program: International First Year
joined the ISC: August 2011

Suiru is a student blogger. Read her student blog on Wordpress.

"Unlike, American school schedules, my school in China has an unbelievable long schedules, so for me, most of my time was spent with my friends in school. In other words, my teenage life was pretty much study, study and study. However, I had no idea what I was interested in and what I wanted to pursue in my future life. Then, a chance came and helped me come to United States of America.

While I was in the college application procedure, I saw this International Study Center program on James Madison University website, which was described as the pathway to James Madison University for international students who don’t meet the language requirement. And I thought this may be a better fit for me. So here I am, discovering this amazing place.

It is wonderful that how study aboard, experiencing culture difference, makes changes in my life. I love how quiet and peaceful it is in this town and I can say how grateful I am to be on such amazing campus."

---

Oumar Sacko

from: Mali
major: Biology
ISC program: 2-semester International First Year
graduated from ISC: May 2011

Oumar is a student blogger. Read his student blog on Wordpress.

"I go to James Madison University. This is my first year in the United States. I love sports, especially basketball and soccer. Soccer for me is like something innate. When I came to US, I was a little bit lost. Even though I had come here to visit when I was little, the idea of coming and live here was quite challenging. United States is a country completely different from mine.

Being in the International Study Center at James Madison University I think, was the best thing for me. I was surrounded by other international students who also lack in English and we exchanged our culture during classes and outside classes. An interesting thing about Study Group managed International Study Center is, while you learn English, you also take some academic classes that are going to make your English even better and make you more familiar with JMU.

In high school I decided to specialize in science. Therefore, when I came to JMU, I chose Biology as my major. I love biology and everything that deals with human body. The human body is a mystery to me and I want to know as much as I can about it. Later in the future I want to be a doctor."

---

Phat Cam Trieu

from: Vietnam
major: Quantitative Finance and Economics double-major
ISC program: 2-semester International First Year
graduated from ISC: May 2011

"The best thing about James Madison University is the people! Our campus is known for its enthusiasm and friendliness. The International First year program has given me the best fit into James Madison University's community from participating in events and learning how to ace the exams. I think you will find it easy to get into James Madison University through the International Study Center program!"

---

Hamed Aldhahri

from: Saudi Arabia
age: 20
planned major: Pre-Medicine
program: 3-semester International First Year

Hamed is our student ambassador. To connect with him, post a question on our Facebook Page.

"I wanted to come to study in the US because my opinion is that United States is the best place to get a university degree. I will study pre-Meds and qualify for Medical school when I graduate from James Madison University. I have come to JMU through a government scholarship and Cultural Mission of Saudi Arabia in USA handled everything with Study Group for my admission.

The International Study Center is the way to JMU – the teachers lead the international students to sophomore year at JMU, they make us aware, teach us what we should do and shouldn't, for example, teachers ask us to avoid plagiarism and to be original, give us many assignments and homework is similar to what the college students are getting. The ISC teachers always offer help for the students, ask them to visit their offices, sometimes if the student doesn't understand the assignment, the instructor sets an appointment with the student in the office to explain more and make everything clear. The teaching here is exciting, nice arguments happen in classes, and I like the articles in my books. I go to Miller hall, Memorial hall, Carrier library, and East Campus library to study. I like this whole campus, and I feel free to study everywhere here.

I live off-campus in 'Gold and Purple Way'; it is a really luxury, nice, new, and comfortable place. I have had a lot of good experiences and in the top of these experiences is, doing many things by myself. It is really nice when you come here while you are young, and are doing many things independently – living without parents telling you what should you do, you have your mind and you have to decide what is right and what is wrong.

When I passed the culture shock period, I started to get many friends from different cultures and countries. My advice to new students is, to pass the culture shock successfully you should be outgoing, a smiley and funny person."

---

Euntae Chung

from: Korea
age: 19
major: Psychology
ISC program: 2-semester International First Year

Euntae is a student blogger. Read her student blog on Wordpress.

"I had a dream to go to America to study some day. And finally the chance came to me. I registered at the ISC to study English and also prepare for life in USA. Going to America was an adventure to me. Different language, cultures, histories, thoughts, appearances, foods – more differences than similarities made me worried. But at the ISC, I can learn how to adjust to American culture and that makes me comfortable and relieved. I want to have a good command of English and have more confidence in myself.

There are some differences between the life in Korea. First of all living in the dorm with somebody who don't know each other is not that comfortable but I'm get used to it. And the biggest problem was the time differences. Korea is thirteen hour more faster than America. So my bed time and the day times are switched. And the people's attitudes are really different from Korea. In Korea they are not very friendly to strangers. But I was surprised that most of the people in America are really kind and if I ask them a help they explained me more detail and kindly.

First time I walked around the campus, I lost the way. I was so confused what is where and which building is where because campus was too large. I heard the buildings in JMU are over one hundred. There are lots of facilities for students. One of my best is UREC where I can work out. In there we can swim, rock-climb, coached by personal trainer. First time I tried rock-climbing, I thought I can't climb the top of the wall, but I did it. I was amazed at myself. I thought I didn't try so many things that I am unsure so fast without even one try and this attitude is the obstacle for my growth and finding new part of me. Here in USA, I learned to take challenge and face it without fear of failure."

---

Aizhanov Anuar

from: Kazakhstan
age: 20
planned major: Business
program: 3-semester International First Year

"I want to study in the USA because it will give me a big opportunity to apply for a good job. I think it will help me to get to real world, so that when I go back to my country I can work at an oil company.

At the International Study Center I am helped with improving English, being well prepared for University, and communicating with both international and local students. Compared to studying in my country there is a big difference in teaching and learning at James Madison University. Communication with other people is also very different. I live with another student in Rockingham Hall residence in a shared room. Living on campus, I enjoy the independence of my new life, and socializing with American students at Rockingham Hall.

During the weeks I am studying but I also go swimming, and meet with friends at my favorite place on campus - Taylor Down Under (TDU). There you can rest and meet a lot of people, and play pool or watch some comedy etc. I got to the final of the 9-ball pool student tournament at TDU! At the weekends, usually I love to travel and see more of America, but it depends how much work I have.

I think one of the most important attitudes to have as an international student is be prepared for everything. Don't complain, be positive."

---

Weiwei Xu

from: China
major: Studio Art
ISC program: 3-semester International First Year
graduated from ISC: August 2011

"I want to get my degree in America because the USA has one of the best education systems in the world and it is a new experience for me - the way to explore the world and expand my mind.

Applying to the International Study Center has three major advantages for students: Firstly, students who don't have TOEFL or IELTS score can apply to universities through Study Group. Secondly, students can earn the university course credit at the same time as improving language. Last but not least, students get familiar with US university life.

James Madison University has the very high ranking of southern universities. Moreover, it has a low population of Chinese students, which means that it is better for language practice. JMU has an excellent environment for study and it is close to Washington DC as well. They have small sized classes, which means that it is easier to connect with other students and professors. The classes are interesting and creative; it is a pretty nice place for study.

My advice to other international students is attend as many events as you can. Events are the best time for meeting American students or other international students as well. Speak loud and show you are here - this is the place to achieve your dreams.

After I graduate from James Madison University, I plan to go to Europe to study, and I like the idea of travel around the world. I would love to absorb new experience from other cultures."

---

Kazuo Arai

from: Japan
age: 21
planned major: Business
program: 4-semester International First Year

"I came to James Madison University in September 2010 through Study Group. I didn't study English so much until now, but I thought 'Everything will be all right' before I come to America. However, I found that communicating with the other international students in English is so difficult for me, far from what I thought. My feeling that 'I want to be able to speak English fluently' or 'I want to communicate with various people in English' provoke me into starting to work in earnest.

If I didn't use English and avoid to communicate in English, my English skills wouldn't improve. I think I should communicate with American students, so I joined club activity. Of course, I can't talk with them as I want to do, but they are so kind, so they talk with me and they try to hear my awkward English. Their generosity and kindness give me motivation. I'm glad to meet good friends in JMU.

Finally, I have a one thing I felt through communicating with Americans. If we are born in different place or have different culture, we are still same human. We laugh when we are happy, we are crying when we are sad, and all become hungry, sleepy. We are same human, even if we use different language, so when I came here, I don't have any culture shock.

I don't have enough English skills yet, but I'll do my best - I cannot waste the time or opportunity that was given to me."

Download the Japanese translation ( PDF file, 76kB)

---

Mailizar

from: Indonesia
major: MSEd Educational Technology
program: Pre-Master's
graduated from ISC: August 2010

"A very good teacher and a very interesting curriculum drive me to enjoy learning in the International Study Center at James Madison University. I have been preparing not only English skills but also study skills and American culture. The program helps me to prepare for a success in studying in one of America's top universities: James Madison University. This is really interesting experience that I have never had before."

---

Yuting He

from: China
age: 21
major: Accounting
ISC program: 3-semester International First Year
graduated from ISC: August 2011

"I decided to come here because USA universities have a good study environment. Study Group help me to adjust to that environment and improve my English. At the International Study Center, I can study English and get credits from university at the same time. I choose James Madison University because it is famous for Business programs.

Student life is quite different to my home country. It's more relaxed, but more homework. Every week I can talk with my conversation partner to help improve my English language, and learn how to get along with people. I eat lunch together with American students every week and am making new friends. People here are helpful and outgoing.

My favorite place on campus is the UREC (University Recreation Center); it's good for my health. When I'm not at UREC I like to watch movies, read a book, and enjoy the quiet city of Harrisonburg."

---

Jaiqi (Nicole) Hu

from: China
age: 20
major: Accounting
ISC program: 3-semester International First Year
graduated from ISC: August 2011

"I really enjoy learning with the help of professors at James Madison University. I think America has the best education in the world. JMU is a really good school, especially for my major - accounting - and it's just 2 hours away from Washington, DC.

The International Study Center tutors help us in improving English, choosing the best classes for us and making study schedules. Therefore I feel very supported here.

My favorite place on the campus is the huge library, where I can find whatever books I want. But of course I also use the computer lab and the Recreation Center. I live in Rockingham hall, a really nice place.

Life on the campus is quiet and peaceful and the city of Harrisonburg has friendly people. Just get involved in student activities and you will soon find a lot of American friends."