BREAKING BORDERS, BUILDING BONDS

Every year thousands of students travel abroad to study in other countries. For some this can be a short single term trip and for others it can be to pursue their whole degree, but for all it is a life experience that will be remembered. To travel and live alone in a foreign place can be a daunting experience, but it can also be enriching and cultivate personal growth.

YOSHKA

THE NETHERLANDS

Six months ago 21-year-old Yoshka Spuij embarked on a life changing adventure. She boarded a plane to San Francisco leaving her friends, family and everyday life behind her in her home country, The Netherlands.

Since January the young psychology major has been an exchange student at San Francisco State University.

Studying abroad and engaging in new adventures has been a challenge for Spuij, but the outcome greater than she could have hoped for.


FOREIGN STUDENTS THROUGH THE YEARS

Through the years thousands of foreign students have studied abroad at San Francisco State University. In this graph you'll see the numbers of foreign students at San Francisco State University from 1990 to 2017. 

CHINMAY

INDIA

18-year-old Chinmay Kulkarni an F-1 international student grew up in Mumbai, India, but currently resides in San Francisco where he attends SF State pursing his bachelors of arts in cinema. 

Growing up in India where following certain educational paths that differ from the social norm is not encouraged, Kulkarni chose to travel to the United States to study.

Pursuing an education in fields such as cinema, theater, or creative arts is highly unlikely in India despite having one of the largest film industries in the world, but Kulkarni broke the barrier of Indian society and is now able to follow his dreams. 



WHERE ARE THE STUDENTS FROM?

Most students taking their whole degree in the US are called F-1 Visa students. In this graph you'll see the number of enrolled F-1 students at San Francisco State University during the Spring 2017 semester divided by home country. 

CHINA SENDS THE MOST STUDENTS 

Students from countries like China, India and Japan have a long history of studying abroad at San Francisco State University. For the Spring 2017 semester these countries once again make out the top three home countries of F-1 Students at SF State. 


DEVON & ALEX

USA

In four months Alex Allamanno will travel to the Netherlands to study abroad and live for a year. As a self-described shy person, he has some trepidation about living completely alone for the first time in his life and having to navigate a new culture and language.

Allamanno is hoping to get out of his comfort zone and, through his study abroad experience, grow to become a more social person.

Devon Thompson spent an entire year studying abroad in Australia. Much like Allamanno, Thompson was nervous before going abroad and was worried about finding friends and being social.

During her adventures in Australia she learned to be more open and was able to foster great friendships. The experience helped shape who she is today as a person.  

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